Whether or not mouthwash is effective at preventing dental decay is all about what kind of mouthwash you are buying and swishing around in your mouth. For starters, you should only be purchasing and using mouthwash with an “ADA” seal on it. The “ADA” seal means the mouthwash has been approved by the American Dental Association. It means it has been tested by scientific experts for safety
Why People Use Mouthwash Anyway
People tend to use mouthwash for a wide range of reasons including to prevent tooth decay, to control tooth decay, to freshen their breath, to prevent or reduce gum disease, to reduce plaque, or to reduce the formation of tartar. Many people use mouthwash to do a combination of these things at once.
Do You Really Even Need Mouthwash
Whether or not you would personal benefit from mouthwash depends on your individual oral health condition. The best thing you can do for yourself is talk to your dentist. Rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash is never a bad idea (as long as you are using dentist approved mouthwash). Some dentists even recommend it as part of the daily routine. The key is to make sure this is in addition to brushing and flossing, it should never be a substitute.
Cosmetic vs Therapeutic
There is a difference between cosmetic mouthwash and therapeutic mouthwash. Cosmetic is going to reduce or control your bad breath. It is going to make your mouth feel cleaner and more pleasant to you and the people around you. Unfortunately, cosmetic mouthwash is just that – cosmetic. There are not many health benefits and it does nothing for the bacteria in your mouth. It just chemically covers what is causing the bad breath.
When it comes down to it, mouthwash is not enough to get rid of dental decay, but it will dramatically reduce your chances of decay. Just make it a part of your routine and ensure you are using proper mouthwash.