Used in moderation, it can help improve oral health without causing any harm. It is generally not recommended by dentists to use mouthwash every day or even at all for the matter. Most dentists will recommend that you brush your teeth and floss on a daily basis but not many will tell you that you need to use mouthwash.
Dry mouth. Teeth staining. Sensitivity after using the mouthwash. Canker sores or mouth sores.
Using mouthwash several times a day for a long period of time may cause more harm than good, especially if you're using an alcohol-based brand. Alcohol can irritate the soft tissues of the mouth and may also cause dry mouth.
What are your needs? If you have cavities or are at a high risk of contracting gum diseases, your dentist may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. Mouth rinses with fluoride can also help ward off tooth decay.
Mouthwashes that kill 99.9% of the bacteria in your mouth are also killing off good bacteria. This can damage the mouth's microbiome and its ability to fight cavities, gingivitis and bad breath.
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.
“Unfortunately, mouthwash doesn't differentiate and kills all bacteria. As a result, mouthwash can cause harm in the long run because it can disrupt the microbiome and impede the normal functioning of your body.”
Avoid Scope, Listerine and the other commercial mouthwashes. They're acidic, contain potentially cancer-causing chemicals, and are just plain bad for you. Simpler, gentler, homemade rinses and those from CariFree, however, can soothe your mouth and balance your pH, among other benefits.
Mouthwash is generally meant to be swished around in the mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Make sure you follow the directions on your specific bottle. Swishing for less than 30 seconds isn't usually enough time for the mouthwash to be effective while swishing for longer than a minute won't give you any additional benefits.
You're just washing off the film from the toothpaste. Most dentists suggest not rinsing your mouth with water right after you have finished using your mouthwash. Mouthwash continues to work after you spit it out, so by rinsing with water you dilute the cleaning and strengthening benefits.
The typically recommended use for mouth rinse is twice in a 24-hour period after brushing your teeth. Even if you've had a particularly spicy or pungent lunch, you should stick to the recommended dosage. Using too much can result in mouth sores, inflamed oral tissue, decreased taste sensitivity and painful gums.
How Often Should You Use Mouthwash? Most dentists recommend that you use mouthwash after every brushing. Using it more than twice a day can be harmful, so use of this product should be limited. Dentists also advise that you refrain from swallowing mouthwash.
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!
Use a mouth rinse before bed
For an added boost to oral health, consider using a mouthwash or rinse before bed. A rinse will help to remove bacteria from your mouth and can effectively help prevent cavities.
Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
It is a broad spectrum antimicrobial with particular use against bacteria that cause gum disease. Dentists do sometimes employ chlorhexidine mouthwash to treat patients with gum disease. Studies have shown it can reduce inflammation caused by periodontal bacteria.
Most Listerine products, a popular antiseptic mouthwash brand, cause a burning sensation. Listerine contains menthol, eucalyptol, thymol, methyl salicylate and alcohol. The first four ingredients are essential oils. It is the alcohol and the essential oils in the products that cause the burn.
Conclusions. Studies are showing that frequent antimicrobial mouthwash use can lead to increases in blood pressure by reducing the number of nitrate-converting oral bacteria.
To help ensure your whole mouth gets clean, properly use a LISTERINE® Mouthwash twice daily.
Additionally, a special antibacterial mouth rinse called Chlorhexidine (Chlorhexidine gluconate) is known to cause slight stain or discoloration of the teeth even though it is very effective at preventing bad bacteria from sticking to the teeth.
If you've been diagnosed with periodontitis, your dentist may recommend a cleaning every 3 months. Adding LISTERINE® to your daily oral care routine can help reduce early gum disease.
You can use mouthwash prior to brushing to remove any food debris and plaque build-up in your mouth to set yourself up for a good cleaning. One important thing to note is that if you're using fluoride toothpaste, don't use mouthwash for at least 30 minutes after brushing!
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.
If you want to rinse out after brushing wait at least 30 minutes and you ready to go ahead with the mouthwash. You're all set, but avoid eating, drinking or smoking for half an hour to let the mouthwash to its job. If you need some more advice, check out what NHS recommend.