When adding mouthwash or rinse to your oral care routine, it’s important to know just what a mouthwash or rinse does. Some are meant to freshen breath; others provide an anti-cavity benefit from fluoride, while some have germ-killing ingredients to decrease plaque buildup. There are many options, but it is important to choose the right mouthwash or rinse for you based on the dental hygiene needs of your teeth and gums, and taste preferences. Here are some key points to consider when choosing a mouthwash or rinse:

• Alcohol: Many of the mouthwashes and rinses contain alcohol, which is bad if a large quantity is swallowed. If you want to buy one type of mouthwash or rinse for the whole family, and your household includes school-aged children or teens, you may want to choose from among the alcohol-free mouthwash products that are available. Also, some recovering alcoholics avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol because of the potential for abuse.
• Sensitivity: Some people find the ingredients in mouthwash irritating, especially people who have sensitive gums. Also, people who don’t usually complain of sensitive gums may find that their mouths are more sensitive for a short time if they are recovering from a dental procedure. If your mouth is sensitive, consider an alcohol-free or natural mouthwash. Natural mouthwashes often contain ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile for a more soothing effect.
• Plaque control: If you want a mouthwash that not only helps control bad breath but also helps to prevent plaque buildup on the teeth, look for a dental rinse that contains anti-plaque ingredients.
• Whitening: They even make them to go along with your whitening toothpaste to help you whiten while you rinse!

Using Mouthwash Correctly

You might be thinking, is there a wrong way to use it? The answer is yes, if you follow these four simple steps you will be well on your way to receiving the maximum amount of benefits that your mouthwash or rinse has to offer.

 

 Use the Right Amount

One way to ensure that you use the right amount of mouthwash is to use the measuring cup provided with the bottle. You can also use a mouthwash dispenser. These dispensers are available at many stores. Each pump dispenses a small amount, making sure that you get the perfect amount, which is especially helpful if you have children who use mouthwash. The dispenser also helps prevent spills and overuse. Depending on the dispenser, you may need a few pumps’ worth to get the desired amount for adults.

Dilute If Necessary

Be sure to read the label on any mouthwash you choose. Some brands have different concentrations, and some may recommend that you dilute them. Remember: if the label does not tell you to dilute, then you may not get the full benefit of the mouth wash if the germ killing ingredients are at a lower level.

 

Mouthwash is not a Replacement

It is important to remember that no mouthwash is a replacement for the regular oral care routine brushing and flossing twice a day. Even if your dentist recommends or prescribes a mouthwash, you still need to follow your complete oral care routine to maintain good dental health.

 

Watch the Clock

It is key to swish for the correct amount of time. Read the product label; most will recommend that you swish the product around in your mouth for 30 seconds to one minute, then spit it out.

Now that you are an expert in mouthwash and rinse come check out our great selection at Smile Warehouse.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at 5:21 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.