Is Mouthwash Essential?

You might be thinking that brushing and flossing alone is enough to preserve your oral health, but then what about mouthwash? Is it an absolute must?

To start off, let’s have a look at the benefits of using mouthwash

There are a number of ways in which mouthwash can help preserve your oral health. When added to brushing and flossing, the use of mouthwash can also help reduce bacteria - which will help eliminate plaque. This is useful as plaque build-up is a major cause for gum disease, something you should always try to prevent!

Furthermore, there are some dental / medical conditions that are greatly benefited by using mouthwash, such as patients with dry socket or Xerostomia. This is why dental check-ups are so vital, as it allows your dentist the chance to analyse what works best for you.

Now, let’s discuss some common misconceptions of mouthwash

There are also some fallacies in regards to mouthwash and it’s uses. For example, mouthwash won’t treat Halitosis (bad breath) but it can help to mask it. This is an important distinction because, in order to treat bad breath, it’s important that you visit your dentist as the cause may be part of a larger issue, i.e. gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Another crucial point, is that mouthwash cannot replace brushing your teeth - particularly when much more fluoride, which is so essential for our oral health, is found in toothpaste than it is in mouthwash.

So then, is it an absolute must?

Whilst mouthwash can be a great addition to your morning routine, it’s not a must. This is because what’s absolutely necessary is typically to brush your teeth twice a day - anything further, such as mouthwash will depend on your oral health and what your dentist recommends for you.

So by all means if you’re brushing and flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist, mouthwash is a great option and will benefit you if applied correctly! Proper brushing and flossing however, whilst regularly visiting the dentist, is enough to maintain a good oral hygiene.