When to Use Your Mouthwash? (Explained)

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Having a set of clean teeth coupled with a mouth that smells nothing but freshness are some of the greatest hallmarks of good personal hygiene. In order to achieve this, various products and concoctions have been formulated and used over the years. For exmaple, do you know when to use your mouthwash?

One that has proven to not only being effective but also reliable is the mouthwash. Being one of the most widely used oral hygiene products today, it is no surprise it is also one that is often misunderstood in terms of usage. That is why this piece has been written with an aim of providing sufficient information on how best to use them in order to achieve maximum results.

Should I Brush, Floss or Mouthwash First?

This is one of the most common dilemmas among many people who intend to do nothing other than clean their mouths in the best manner possible. However, it is also one of the most widely ignored as many opt to use intuition rather than seek expert advice on the correct order of doing things. This is due to the fact that the way in which you perform the three operations has a huge bearing on how effective they are individually but also as a unit.

This is the reason why what is mentioned in the next paragraphs should be taken into serious consideration when cleaning your mouth.

When To Use Your Mouthwash

Dr. Scott Frey suggests the following order:

Floss First: Flossing is an essential aspect of oral hygiene and should be the first operation to be undertaken. This should be done in not only a careful but also thorough manner so as to re smove all bits of food that may be lodged in between teeth. The flossing should be done for teeth on both the lower jaw and should be done using the appropriate items and techniques to avoid damaging the gums. Once this is done, you can move on to the next step.
Brush Next: This is where the real cleaning takes place. Brushing of teeth is something that should be done on a regular routine- at least twice daily to achieve the best results. When doing so, it is important to make use of brushes with proper bristles not only for the teeth but also for brushing the tongue and mouth walls. This should be done using properfluoride toothpaste. Brushing after flossing makes both processes more effective as all the gaps between teeth are now open and therefore, the bristles can reach them better and the toothpaste can penetrate to a deeper degree.
Use Mouth Wash Last: The final operation in cleaning your mouth should be making use of the mouthwash. This is for a number of reasons. One of the most important among these is that it helps to hasten the fluoridating effect on the mouth as they also contain fluoride. This helps to strengthen the teeth. Furthermore, the mouthwash helps to clear away all the remnants of the interaction between toothpaste and pathogens in a manner that water cannot achieve. This makes the whole cleaning process even more effective.

What Kind Of Mouthwash Should I Use?

Just like any other dental hygiene product, there are various kinds of mouthwash brands and types that are available on the market today. Although they eventually achieve the same purpose of cleaning your mouth, the different types are meant for usage by people having different kinds of oral issues. Some of these are mentioned here.

Cosmetic Mouthwash: This is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most widely used type of mouthwash. These kinds of mouthwashes are general purpose and mainly intended for masking bad breath. They are excellent for people who have an unpleasant mouth odor that seems to never go away. They are also a great choice for people who love spicy food or chronic smokers who despise the unpleasant smell that accompanies these habits. You can avoid this inconvenience by simply gargling on your favorite brand of cosmetic mouthwash after engaging in them.
Antimicrobial Mouthwash: The chief source of bad breath in your mouth is the presence of micro-organisms which metabolize food remnants inside your mouth and cause them to rot. In addition to this, some attack the mouth walls and gums, exposing wounds which alongside the rotting food make the mouth smell horrible. This can be avoided by making use of these antimicrobial mouthwashes which not only attack and kill these pathogens but also form a layer that protects your mouth against them. It is however, important to note that they contain alcohol as a chief ingredient and it is therefore, necessary to chew on some sugarless gum after using them to avoid having a dry mouth.
Prescription Mouthwash: Quite often, oral hygiene problems such as a bad breath are usually caused by an underlying health issue. That is where the prescription mouthwashes come in. These are those ones which are prescribed by a dental officer and are meant at eliminating the root cause of the problem. When using them, it is of utmost importance to identify and fully comply with the provided prescription just like you would do with any other type of medication. It is also the key point to note the side effects that they may have so as to know how to deal and counter them.
Herbal Mouthwash: There are certain chemicals that are present in various kinds of mouthwashes that may not auger well with the user. This may be due to sensitivity to them, or even their taste and odor. Herbal mouthwashes make it possible for such users to avoid this problem due to the fact that they are manufactured using natural ingredients such as eucalyptus and peppermint which are just as effective as synthetic elements in cleaning the mouth.

Here’s the list of top 5 best-selling mouthwash on amazon, you can choose your preferred one: A mouthwash is important and should be part of the products you use daily for dental care. Remember it is used after brushing teeth with a good toothpaste. It reaches part of the mouth that a toothbrush cannot clean. So now you know when to use your mouthwash!