• 826 E Fremont Ave Ste D, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
  • (669) 272-6312

Patient Education

MouthwashWhat Is A Good Oral Routine?

A good daily oral care routine is necessary for healthy hygiene and a beautiful smile. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing at least once a day is a good dental routine for most people. Mouthrinse can be a helpful addition to this daily oral hygiene routine. There are different types of mouthwashes you can choose from that offer different benefits.

What Are The Immediate Benefits Of Mouthwash?

It is not a surprise that mouthwash contributes to fresh breath. Bad breath can be embarrassing to deal with and mouthwash can leave your mouth feeling extra clean. Many times, oral hygiene products are designed to control bad breath temporarily, so you want to keep up the rest of your oral hygiene routine as well. A mouth rinse also helps remove food that remains in your mouth after meals and can be a good step in addition to flossing and brushing. The cleansing ability of mouthwash can effectively reduce the chance of tooth decay and gum disease.

How Does Mouthwash Help Your Overall Health?

You may not realize this, but taking care of your oral health benefits your entire body. When you do not take precautionary measures, certain conditions may develop. Your oral health might contribute to multiple diseases and conditions, including:

  • Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart valves typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from your mouth spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.
  • Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart diseases may be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
  • Pregnancy and birth complications. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
  • Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can enter your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

Using mouthwash in addition to other oral care products really helps your overall health.

What Are The Benefits Of Prescription Mouthwash?

Certain oral conditions may be alleviated with the help of mouthwash prescribed by a doctor or dentist. For example, some mouthwashes are specially designed for patients with xerostomia. These mouthwashes do not contain chemicals that further dry the mouth and provide protection against tooth decay. There are also rinses available for people with tooth sensitivity.

What Is The Correct Way To Use Mouthwash?

Not all mouthwashes are created equal. Some of them can actually irritate the mouth. Although usually harmless, there is a condition called black hairy tongue that can occur when you use the wrong mouthwash. This condition leaves the tongue looking dry and black. Using the correct mouthwash for your oral necessities guarantees the best benefits.

Knowing how to use mouthwash properly also matters. People commonly use mouthwash right after brushing their teeth. However, to obtain the best results some dentists recommend you use this oral care product either at a different time of day than brushing your teeth or minutes later. This ensures that you do not rinse away beneficial chemicals from your toothpaste. After all, toothpaste combined with mouthwash offers the best results to patients.



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