Well actually, the best mouthwash is none at all! Did you know that mouthwash can actually be bad for your oral health?
Don’t be sucked in by the fun adverts on the telly for mouthwash brands, it’s a myth that mouthwash cures bad breath!
Why does mouthwash dry out your mouth?
Mouthwash usually contains alcohol that dries out your mouth, some even contain more alcohol than wine or beer! Ethyl Alcohol or acetaldehyde are the ingredients in alcohol to be aware of, these can damage your salivary glands if used excessively. The damage to your glands is what causes dry mouth.
There is another myth about mouthwash, using it right after brushing your teeth is a no-no. This is because mouthwash contains compounds that neutralise the effect created by toothpaste, it actually eliminates any of the positive impact toothpaste has on your teeth. If you suffer from bad breath or mouth ulcers, it may be mouthwash that is causing this.
Why does a dry mouth cause bad breath?
Saliva is a very important substance your body produces, it maintains a healthy pH in your mouth and gets rid of any harmful bacteria. If you’re not producing enough saliva and getting a dry mouth, then the harmful bacteria will be gathering and causing bad breath.
Is there any mouthwashes that I could use?
We do not recommend the use of mouthwash every day, however if you need a bit of a freshen up there are some natural mouthwashes you can get. Find a mouthwash that contains pH balancing ingredients, The Breath Co. Fresh Breath Oral Rinse which you can get from Boots is an all natural oral rinse.
Why can’t mouthwash get rid of plaque and bad breath?
Plaque that causes bad breath can only be removed by brushing or flossing, you cannot remove plaque with mouthwash or any other liquid.
Sticking to a regular brushing and flossing routine and drinking plenty of water to keep saliva topped up will keep away bad breath and plaque. However if it does persist, please book an appointment with one of our dentists or your doctor.
What can help with bad breath is scraping your tongue, this removes bacteria that sticks to your tongue. Tongue scrapers can be bought from most pharmacies or some toothbrushes have a ridge on the back of the brush head that is similar, however we do recommend a tongue scraper as they work better!
So to roundup, throw away your mouthwash, brush and floss twice a day and drink lots and lots of water!
If you still experience bad breath, book an appointment with us and we can give your mouth and teeth a health check.
