Many people that use mouthwashes all over the world are either using them for the wrong reasons or are not using them the right way. Mouthwash or mouth rinse is important in maintaining good oral hygiene. However, indiscriminate use of it may have negative effects on your oral health. This is the reason it is important you learn the right way of using mouthwashes.
What Is a Mouthwash?
Mouthwashes or oral rinses are antiseptic liquid substances used to rinse the mouth for the purpose of killing harmful bacteria in the oral cavity and also for freshening the breath. When we use them the right way, mouthwashes can be beneficial to oral health.
Wrong Ways to Use Mouthwashes
If you do not know the correct way to use a product, there are chances that you could be using it wrongly. Here are some wrong ways to use mouthwashes.
1. Gargling with a Mouthwash
Gargling a mouthwash will not offer much benefit. After measuring out the right quantity to rinse with, it is more beneficial to swish the solution, that is moving it around the mouth gently. When you use mouthwashes in this way, it ensures the solution makes contact with the teeth, gums, tongue, and other aspects of the oral cavity.
2. Ingesting Them
Mouthwashes are not meant to be swallowed. Ingesting mouthwashes is actually a wrong way to use them, because many of them available for home use contain high amounts of alcohol ranging from 14% to 26.9%. Ingesting large amounts of mouthwash can get someone drunk. Therefore, It is safe to spit them out when you are done rinsing. Mouthwash should be kept out of the reach of children to avoid intoxication.
3. Allowing Children to Use Mouthwash
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), children under the age of 6 years should not use mouthwash. Mouthwashes formulated for children should not contain alcohol but they can contain fluoride, which is not safe if swallowed in large quantities. Ingesting large amounts of fluoride can lead to fluorosis.
Since children under the age of 6 are not able to rinse and spit out properly, they have a high tendency of swallowing mouthwashes.
Children who like to swallow toothpastes should not be allowed to use mouthwash. I recommend children in the mixed dentition age (8 to 9 years) should be allowed to use a mouthwash if there is need for it.
4. Using Mouthwash in Place of Brushing
Mouthwashes are beneficial to our oral health, but they cannot take the place of brushing our teeth. People who fail to brush because they use mouthwash will not be able to maintain good oral hygiene.
Mouthwashes can kill harmful germs and help to reduce plaque buildup, but they do not effectively remove plaque and other debris. Plaque accumulation will encourage bacterial growth and consequent dental problems.
On the other hand, a toothpaste contains abrasives which helps in removing plaque and surface stains when used with a toothbrush.
The Correct Ways of Using a Mouthwash
After Brushing and Flossing
Using mouthwash after brushing and flossing is quite effective in controlling bacteria plaque. In this way, brushing helps to remove plaque, food debris and surface stains enhancing the action of the mouthwash.
It is recommended that you do not rinse with a mouthwash immediately after brushing. An interval of at least 30 minutes should be observed before using mouthwash rinse. In this way, the fluoride contained in the toothpaste will have enough time to penetrate the teeth and not get washed away by mouthwashes.
However, a systematic review by Kolahi et al., discovered that increasing the interval between brushing and chlorhexidine mouthrinse up to 2 hours increases the antibacterial effect of the mouthwash.
Chlorhexidine gluconate solution is known to interact with sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium monofluorophosphate, which are ingredients in toothpastes. This interaction reduces the antibacterial effect of chlorhexidine. Increasing the interval between brushing and rinsing with chlorhexidine up to 2 hours will prevent this interaction from occurring.
Use the Quantity that Is Recommended
Always follow the instructions on the mouthwash you are using. Generally, the quantity to use per rinse can be measured with the cap of the mouthwash bottle. Some mouthwashes may come with a measuring cup. About 20 ml of mouthwash per rinse can be used.
Do not dilute with water. It is important you use the full strength of the mouthwash for a good result.
Swish. Don’t Gargle
I have already stated the importance of swishing the mouthwash solution around the mouth. Switch for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then spit out the solution. Avoid swallowing.
The NHS recommends you don’t eat or drink at least for 30 minutes after rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash. The idea is to provide adequate time for the fluoride to work.
Use twice Daily
It is recommended you use mouthwash twice daily, that is after brushing in the morning and at night. If you are using a mouthwash based on prescription, it is important you stick to your dentist’s prescription. Discontinue use once your dentist is done with your treatment.
If you are using the mouthwash to maintain good oral hygiene, avoid using it for a very long time as this can cause some unwanted side effects.
I recommend you observe a break after using the mouthwash for about 2 weeks
Conclusion
Mouthwashes are important in maintaining good oral hygiene. The way you use mouthwashes is very important because it determines how much you will benefit from using them. To avoid adverse effects and to get the best from mouth rinses, adhering to the pieces of advice and recommendations shared in this article is very essential.
