However, it not only helps combat bad breath but also rinsing using a mouthwash can help you avoid cavities and gum disease. Fluoride content in mouthwash can aid in the prevention of tooth decay too. Having said all the above, Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing or flossing.
Question #1 — Can mouthwash replace brushing? Answer — No, mouthwash cannot replace brushing one's teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Mouthwash should be used to help get rid of bad bacteria in the mouth and not for providing the teeth with the care they need for one's good oral health.
Mouthwash Gets Rid of Good Bacteria
Using mouthwash instead of brushing in the morning may seem like a quick fix, especially if you are in a rush or forgot to bring your toothbrush with you. It is definitely better than nothing once in a while, but be careful not to make its use routine.
You only need to use mouthwash once a day, so you can choose the time you prefer, whether first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Either way is good!
It destroys the bacterial balance in your mouth, dries out the skin, causes imbalances in pH levels, worsens bad breath, may cause mouth ulcers and increase your risk for oral cancer, and it may contribute to the development of gingivitis.
Morning breath—also known as “morning halitosis” or “mild transient oral malodor”—is easily treatable. It's a non-pathological form of halitosis, which means there's nothing particularly wrong with you. Just brush, floss, and swish with mouthwash and you should be fresh as a daisy.
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.
Mouthwash is used to keep your breath smelling fresh and it is not an effective substitute for brushing your teeth at night.
Skipping Brushing Leads to Gum Disease
As the bacteria, particles, and food debris form plaque, then tartar on your teeth, this can also attack your gums. Gum disease can range from mild and fairly easily treatable to severe, with symptoms ranging from receding gums and bleeding gums to loose teeth.
Using Water. Maybe you forgot to brush teeth this morning but if you still can sneak into a bathroom, you can clean your teeth with water. Just take a sip of water and swirl it around your mouth. Remember to do it firmly so you can loosen up the dirt off your teeth.
Floss is a great alternative to brushing your teeth when you are on the go. Floss will help you to remove bacteria and food particles in the hard to reach areas around your gums and stuck in between your teeth. Using scented floss will help to freshen your breath as well.
If you wake up every morning and are met with a strange, white film coating the inside of your mouth, you might be wondering what could possibly be causing this to happen. This sticky, disgusting layer of film is called oral thrush, and it's normal to want to rid your mouth of the foul substance as quickly as possible!
On almost any surface, a thin layer of bacteria known as biofilm can stick. That's why your gums and teeth feel like they've been covered in slime when you wake up in the morning. Biofilm is normal and happens to everyone—even if you brush, floss and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Use your mouthwash prior to brushing to remove any food debris and plaque build up in your mouth, this will set you up for a good clean and also won't rinse out any of the fluoride after brushing. If you want to rinse out after brushing wait at least 30 minutes and you ready to go ahead with the mouthwash.
Leaving the toothpaste on your teeth overnight will allow the enamel to be fed fluoride from the paste. This fluoride will prevent the breakdown of enamel and allow the rebuilding of demineralized enamel.
When you're awake your mouth usually produces enough saliva to break down food particles that allow odor-causing bacteria to grow. But when you're asleep, the saliva production slows down and the bacteria starts growing and produces what is called 'volatile sulfur compounds' or VSC which cause your mouth to stink.
Need to check how your breath smells quickly? Try the sniff test—there are a couple of ways to do it. If you lick your wrist, let it dry for a moment, then take a whiff, you should be able to get an idea if your breath has an odor too. Another method is to floss toward the back of your mouth, then smell the floss.
Cavities and gum disease
The bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in cavities in your teeth. This makes it difficult to get rid of the bacteria when you're brushing your teeth because it's hidden in places that you can't reach. Similarly, these bacteria can hide in deep pockets caused by gum disease.
In fact, most experts say that even with just once-a-day brushing, it is already enough to keep bacteria and cavities at bay. Yes, you read it right. Brushing your teeth once a day is enough to maintain good oral health if it is done correctly.
This review shows that there is consensus in the literature that (meticulous) tooth brushing once per day is sufficient to maintain oral health and to prevent caries and periodontal diseases. Tooth brushing is also regarded as an important vehicle for application of anti-caries agents, such as fluorides.
Even a few days without brushing can put you at risk of developing an early gum disease called gingivitis. You may notice red, swollen gums or bleeding while you brush and floss (note: you should never bleed while caring for your teeth!).