A mouthwash or a mouth rinse is a
liquid used for dental hygiene. These are used after brushing for complete
removal of germs and debris left behind.
Mouth
washes may be cosmetic or therapeutic. The cosmetic ones are available
over-the-counter and used for the removal of debris, fight against bad breath,
decrease bacterial growth in mouth and refresh with a pleasant taste.
On
the other hand, therapeutic ones do everything that a cosmetic rinse does, in
addition to certain formula that helps fight against oral diseases.
These are especially required by patients who
cannot brush their teeth properly due to some reason.
Commonly
used mouthwashes are of following three main types:
Fluoride-Based
Rinses
Fluoride
strengthens your tooth enamel thus helping to prevent tooth decay. People often
get enough fluoride if they use fluoridated toothpastes. Hence, most people do
not require such a mouthwash. But, there are certain exceptions to this rule.
Xerostomia
is an oral medical condition which results in extremely dry mouth. This can
increase the population of bad bacteria in the mouth and may result in tooth
decay. These people will benefit from including a fluoridated mouthwash in
their daily routine. Furthermore, patients who have dental caries will also
find these rinses useful.
If
you think that you need a fluoridated mouthwash, consult your family dentist germantown for their suggestion.
Mouth
Freshening Rinses
These
are the rinses that improve the odor in your mouth by balancing out your bad
breath with fragrant substances. While their use can help your bad breath
worries, they do not necessarily provide any long-term benefit for your dental
health.
Apart from reducing mouth odors, some
of these rinses do kill bacteria in your mouth.
However,
these effects are neither significant nor long-term. Even though it will kill a
few populations, or inhibit their growth for a bit, the bacteria will soon
resume their growth. So, using these rinses you will have a nice smelling mouth
for a few hours, but it will get back to the same situation as soon as its
effects wear off.
Anti-Plaque
or Anti-Gingivitis Rinses
People
who are concerned about plaque deposits or have sensitive teeth might want to
adopt this type of mouthwash. These are used in combination of brushing and
flossing; the two key elements for maintenance of your oral health.
These
washes can kill damaging bacteria in your mouth. Their affect is usually
long-term because these mouthwashes attack a different spectrum of bacteria. If
left untreated, these bacteria may cause serious gum diseases.
For
people who already have a high risk for developing an oral disease or have
extremely sensitive teeth, dentists may recommend different washes.
Although
mouthwashes are a good choice for a better oral hygiene, they are not a
substitute for brushing and flossing.
Do
you want to have dental cleaning performed or need advice regarding which
mouthwash to use? Visit our clinic for a range of dental
services.
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