Does Mouthwash Help Prevent Cavities?

mouthwash prevents cavities

If you’re like millions of others around the world, then you probably use mouthwash or you’re thinking of using mouthwash. However, is mouthwash actually good for you? If you want to find out the answer to this question, then continue to read the rest of this article.

The Issues With Conventional Mouthwash

There are quite a few issues that are associated with conventional mouthwash. One of them is that your oral microbiome can become harmed. If you’re not careful, then mouthwash can completely destroy good bacteria, on top of the bad bacteria.

Another issue with most mouthwashes is that they can dry your mouth out. You produce saliva naturally, and mouthwash can disrupt that production. In turn, you could end up with dry mouth that is hard to get rid of.

It’s also worth pointing out that some people believe that mouthwash may put you at risk of developing cavities. One of the reason for this is that the good bacteria in your mouth can be killed off, as previously mentioned. Not all mouthwash will put you at a high risk of cavities, but there are many that will increase your risk.

Although more research needs to be done, some believe that the use of mouthwash is linked to an increased risk of oral cancer. It appears that products that contain alcohol are the ones that may potentially increase your risk of oral cancer. This is why you need to be careful if you decide to use mouthwash.

The Benefits Of Using Mouthwash

There are many benefits of using mouthwash, with one of them being that it may help you cut down on cavities. Many mouthwashes contain fluoride. This has been studied and shown that it can help reduce the chances of developing cavities.

Another benefit is it can help fight off gum disease. Tooth sockets and gums can become inflamed due to bacteria building up, which can lead to plaque. If you want to prevent periodontal disease, then you should consider using an antibacterial mouthwash.

A third benefit of using mouthwash is that it might help with canker sores. Bacteria can lead to canker sores becoming more painful. Using mouthwash can reduce bacteria, and in turn this may reduce the pain that canker sores can cause.

Your breathe will become fresher. Do bear in mind that the actual results you get with mouthwash depends on factors such as the type of mouthwash you use and how often you use it. Generally speaking, your breath will be fresher and smell better.

Avoid Mouthwash With These Ingredients

Alcohol is an ingredient that you should keep an eye out for when choosing a mouthwash. Alcohol can cause a lot of issues, with one of them being dry mouth and ultimately leading to bad breath. Before you purchase mouthwash, check to see how much alcohol is in it because the average conventional mouthwash can contain around 25% alcohol. This is actually a lot, so it’s best to avoid mouthwash that has that much or any alcohol at all.

Chlorine dioxide is another ingredient to avoid. The CDC actually describes this ingredient as being a hazardous gas, and it’s actually a bleaching agent. This is why it is found in many mouthwashes that claim to make your teeth whiter.

Parabens can be found in many products, and to different degrees. It’s best to avoid any mouthwash with parabens in them. The same goes for products that contain poloxamer 407.

Are Natural Mouthwashes Ok?

First, natural mouthwashes are just that, products that contain natural ingredients. The ingredients you typically find in commercial products will not be found in mouthwashes that are truly all-natural. This means they won’t have the previously discussed ingredients.

Also, you should be aware that natural mouthwash will not do the same things that the mainstream brands claim to do. This means all-natural mouthwashes won’t whiten your teeth, nor will they leave you with long-lasting fresh breathe. However, there are many benefits of using natural mouthwash. One of them is being that they don’t contain alcohol and they are ideal to use if you have sensitive teeth.

Another benefit is that natural mouthwash doesn’t contain fluoride. As previously discussed, fluoride is not good for you and has been linked to a number of health issues. If you don’t want to consume fluoride, but you want to use mouthwash, then make sure you choose an all-natural one.

It’s important to note that not all natural mouthwashes are created equal, therefore it’s important to choose one after you have done your researched. As a general rule of thumb, you want to compare several natural products and research any ingredients you don’t recognized, as you want to be sure you are going to be using a truly all-natural mouthwash. After you have compared mouthwashes and have read reviews, you can decide which one to buy.

Is Mouthwash Good For You?

After speaking with some authorities on this, specifically these Durham NC dentists, they said that mouthwash absolutely is beneficial, not only in fighting plaque, but also in preventing the buildup of plaque to begin with.

Generally speaking, conventional mouthwash really isn’t that good for you because it can dry out your mouth and skin, as well as kill off good bacteria. It can even cause your breath to smell bad and some mouthwashes may lead to mouth ulcers and your risk of oral cancer may increase. If you want to avoid the potential negative effects of conventional mouthwash, then you should use an all-natural one or create one via a DIY mixture.

Of course, if you don’t decide to use an all-natural mouthwash, then make sure you choose one that doesn’t contain high amounts of harsh ingredients. Use the mouthwash in moderation, which means maybe just a small amount once per day or twice per day. Before you buy any kind of mouthwash, you’ll want to read reviews on it and check the ingredients.

As you can see, it is all about choosing and using the right kind of mouthwash. As long as you choose a high quality mouthwash that doesn’t contain certain ingredients, then you should be fine. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of mouthwash before deciding to use it or not.