What Kind of Mouthwash Are You Using?

Using a good mouthwash is a vital part of your oral hygiene routine. At our family dental practice in Cadott, we always encourage our patients to be sure they are using a good mouthwash at least twice a day. Using a mouthwash helps reduce the population levels of the bacteria in your mouth, which, in turn, means fewer cavities and fresher breath.
But not all mouthwashes are the same. In fact, some mouthwashes can actually have the effect of worsening your breath and causing other problems. As any dentist in Cadott can tell you, it actually makes a big difference what type of mouthwash you use.

Mouthwashes with Alcohol
In theory, using a mouthwash with alcohol in it makes sense. After all, alcohol is used to kill germs, and dental problems frequently arise due to excessive bacterial growth in the oral cavity.
But it’s not as simple as that. An alcohol mouthwash will have the effect of drying out your mouth. Because one of your mouth’s natural defenses to bacteria is the continual washing effect of the salivary flow, you don’t want to do anything to dry it out. Doing so will actually increase the bacterial population in your mouth.
Also, the alcohol in the mouthwash can actually kill some of the sensitive soft tissues in your mouth such as cheek and gum tissues. This dead tissue will provide more issues, as it lends itself to higher bacterial population levels.

Ditch the Alcohol
Practicing dentistry in Cadott means telling your patients to make smart choices. When it comes to mouthwash, skip the alcohol and reach for a refreshing non-alcoholic alternative. There are many options to choose from, and if you need help, we are happy to review your choices with you and tell you what we think. We are here to help you!