ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF MOUTHWASH?

Mouthwash use is now common practice to our regular oral health routine and who doesn’t love the minty zap it gives you leaving you feeling and smelling fresh – but are you using it correctly and is it doing its job?
Mouthwashes come in all different forms and you should choose the one that is right for you. Here are some facts to help you choose and use your mouthwash effectively.

1. Did you know that antiseptic mouthwashes, which are brilliant for people with irritated or bleeding gums, such as Corsodyl, really should only be used for two weeks? This is because they can a cause the colouring in some foods and drinks to stick to the tooth’s surface causing heavy discolouration.

2. Mouthwashes are fantastic at washing away food particles and leaving your breath fresh. This is why they should be used in between brushing at different periods throughout the day if possible and after eating to give your teeth that fluoride boost it needs.

3. Rinsing after brushing could be removing some of the valuable high fluoride content that is held in your toothpaste. So if its fluoride you are after to protect your teeth it may be better to find a high fluoride mouthwash and then wait a good 10-15 minutes before rinsing. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride can coat your teeth after rinsing and help strengthen your tooth enamel.

4. If you want to simply freshen your breath, try a basic mouthwash that has a low alcohol content. The main ingredients in these are chlorine and zinc, which combat bad breath bacteria for a short period of time.

5. If you have sensitive teeth or ‘dentine hypersensitivity’ then choose a mouthwash which is less likely to irritate your teeth and gums. These include natural and alcohol free mouthwashes.

6. Whitening mouthwashes can help retain the white colour of your teeth by protecting the enamel BUT if you teeth are already stained it’s unlikely they are going to remove the stains unless a high content of hydrogen peroxide is contained, which could harm your teeth further. People with stained teeth should consider professional tooth whitening.

If you are not sure it’s always best to ask your dentist and we will be more than happy to advise which mouthwash is right for you!

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