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When you think of mouthwash, the first thing you probably think of is fresh, minty breath. Mouthwash is fantastic for that! Interestingly enough, the blue or green liquid sitting in your bathroom cabinet can actually do way more than that. Beyond keeping your mouth minty fresh, which is great in and of itself, mouthwash can also be used for other purposes.
According to Glamour, mouthwash is actually one of the most important things you can use in your dental hygiene routine. Your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss can’t reach every single part of your mouth, so mouthwash is actually essential in getting to all those harder to reach areas. Here are five benefits of using mouthwash in your oral hygiene routine.
Keep Your Breath Fresh and Your Smile Healthy
Of course, the classic way to use mouthwash is for freshening your breath. According to Verywell Health, using mouthwash once per day for thirty seconds is enough. That quick rinse is sufficient to kill the bacteria, and can also help you feel more confident.
Yahoo Life explains that some mouthwashes are diluted in water, but that mouth rinses protect your gums from bleeding and plaque. Those are what you should be using. But that doesn’t mean you can rely solely on it, and skip brushing and flossing. For best dental health and breath, do all three regularly.
Relieving Sores or Mouth Discomfort
Mouthwash can offer great relief for canker sore pain, according to Healthline. Also, by using mouthwash regularly as described above, you can actually prevent getting sores and other painful and uncomfortable issues in your mouth. If you do have a sore, you might want to use a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol in order to not irritate it further.
Whiter Teeth
Some popular mouthwashes include teeth whitening as one of the benefits from using mouthwash products. One of the ingredients, hydrogen peroxide, works toward teeth whitening and that using mouthwash can help whiten stained teeth.
Something to consider, according to Yahoo Life, is the gargling. Many people instinctively gargle the liquid in their throat. For best results, move the liquid around your teeth instead, making sure it goes in between as many areas and crevices as possible. And make sure to spit it out and not swallow it.
Essential for People With Braces
If you have braces (and lots of adults seem to have braces these days, not only teens), mouthwash is more than essential, according to Yahoo Life. Braces that are fixed on your teeth make it more difficult to brush and get all the food out. If you have braces, mouthwash is an excellent resource and should be used daily.
Using it in the Right Order
According to TODAY, there is a correct way and order to use mouthwash, and not everyone is doing it right. They explain that you should floss, then use mouthwash, and then brush your teeth. In that order. That is the most effective way of using it, they say.
When done in this order, you first clean your teeth from obvious pieces of food left in between your teeth. That’s what flossing does. The reason for using mouthwash next and then brushing is because there are ingredients in the toothpaste that should stay on your teeth and not be rinsed out with the mouthwash.
When used properly, mouthwash can do so much more than give you minty fresh breath. It can help you stay on top of your oral health and enjoy a bunch of benefits along the way. Go ahead and give it a try. It’s amazing how much confidence and freshness can come from one little bottle.
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