You are walking the dental aisle at your local convenience store to pick up some toothpaste, floss, and a new toothbrush when you notice how many options of mouthwash are available. You have never used one before, but as you look at the bottle you read the high claims of benefiting your entire oral health. You think about putting a bottle in your shopping cart, but then you decide to put it back thinking that you have never used it before, so it must not be necessary. Right? Let’s read on to find out.

Mouthwash is a great option for a quick breath freshener, but the benefits go far beyond just giving your breath a boost in the right direction. Dentists across the United States promote the benefits of mouthwash and tend to recommend that most patients use one regularly. Why?

• Mouthwash fights and prevents cavities. There is no disputing this claim. Fluoride is one of the most beneficial ingredients in mouthwash because it strengthens tooth enamel, protecting the teeth from decay (cavities). Fluoride reduces demineralization of the tooth enamel, which leaves the teeth much less vulnerable to cavities, decay, and infection.
• Mouthwash fights gum disease. Gum disease starts out as a minor case of gingivitis, which is reversible with treatment from a dentist. However, gum disease that is not treated in its earliest stages will develop into periodontal disease, for which there is no reversing. Periodontal disease leads people on a very destructive oral path with tooth loss, decay, and bone loss. Mouthwash prevents gum disease by washing away and killing man bacteria that develop in the mouth from eating and drinking.
• Mouthwash protects pregnancy. Periodontal disease is a condition that is common among pregnant women due to the high fluctuation of hormones that take place over a relatively short span of time. Bacteria from a gum infection (periodontal disease) can easily travel into the blood stream and increase inflammatory makers, which can stimulate contractions in pregnant women. Periodontal disease has a direct association between pregnant women and pre-term, low-birth weight babies. Using a mouthwash during pregnancy can prevent gum disease and the dangerous risks that it poses to a growing baby.

At Gold Hill Dentistry, we are here to educate our patients on the best methods for achieving a clean and healthy smile. Please contact our practice today to schedule a cleaning and checkup, and discuss with us how using the right mouthwash can promote your optimal oral health.