Store shelves are filled with all sorts of mouthwash, and it’s easy for a consumer to become confused about which they should pick. You may even be wondering whether you should buy any at all. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, we provide for the needs of patients of all ages and with all sorts of conditions. We’re happy to help patients determine what’s best for their own oral care, which is why we wanted to talk about what mouthwash can and can’t do.
Mouthwash may supplement twice-daily brushing and flossing, but it can never replace them. Therapeutic mouthwash kills oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, but cosmetic mouthwash simply masks bad breath. Often, a patient would be prescribed therapeutic mouthwash if they had a tooth injury or were recovering from oral surgery and needed something that could dull their pain as well as provide additional defense against bacteria. Some mouthwashes come with other features, such as providing fluoride to make a patient’s enamel slightly stronger.
There is no evidence that the alcohol in mouthwash increases the risk of oral cancer, but non-alcoholic versions are available. Children under the age of six should not even use non-alcoholic mouthwash, and they should demonstrate that they are able to spit instead of swallowing it so they don’t risk over-exposure to fluoride. However, many people find that keeping some cosmetic mouthwash onhand is helpful for social situations, especially if they wear braces or dentures and can’t rely on sugar-free gum to combat halitosis. Just remember that the tongue needs to be scraped later to remove the source of the odor.
Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.
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