Can Mouthwash Replace Brushing your Teeth?

The Truth About Toothpaste, Mouthwash and Brushing your Teeth

Using mouthwash gives you a clean, minty-fresh feeling in your mouth. So if your teeth are cleaned by swishing Listerine, Crest or whatever brand of mouthwash you use, does that mean you can use mouthwash instead of brushing your teeth? In short: no, it does not. The truth is, mouthwash doesn’t help as much as you think. Let’s take a closer look at how mouthwash, toothpaste and toothbrushes impact your dental health.

Mouthwash Versus Brushing your Teeth: Which is Better?

The minty fresh feeling you get from mouthwash and most toothpastes doesn’t mean your mouth is actually clean. This feeling is caused by astringents, flavoring agents, alcohol and other inactive ingredients that make your mouth ‘fresh’. While active ingredients like fluoride, antiseptics and antiplaque do help prevent cavities and gum disease, no amount of swishing mouthwash can remove most of the plaque from your teeth.

Plaque is a coating that builds up on your teeth throughout the day. It is teeming with millions of bacteria that can result in tooth decay and gingivitis if left untouched. If used alone, none of the ingredients in mouthwash or toothpaste can effectively neutralize the negative effects of plaque.

As simple as it sounds, the only way to prevent painful dental conditions like gum disease and tooth decay is to mechanically remove the plaque. The absolute best way to remove plaque is through brushing and flossing.

Does Mouthwash Work at All?

There is some debate on the effects of mouthwash. Some believe mouthwash can cause cancer by killing cells with abrasive alcohol, while others promote it as an effective method of preventing gum disease and bad breath. So what is the truth?

The reality is, mouthwash has good and bad effects. Mouthwash that contains fluoride and does not have alcohol is best for temporarily relieving halitosis (bad breath) and helping to remove some plaque and food particles. However, excessive use of mouthwash can lead to drying out of the mouth, which can actually lead to worse breath.

Dr. Dixon suggests using mouthwash occasionally, but never as a substitute for brushing and flossing.

What is the Best Brand of Toothpaste? Does it matter?

If the minty feeling of toothpaste doesn’t mean much, and the mechanical action of the toothbrush is the main method of removing plaque, does that mean toothpaste is unnecessary?

While the act of brushing itself is the most effective method of removing plaque, toothpaste is still important for strengthening teeth, helping to remove plaque and preventing tooth decay. So which brand is best? In reality, it doesn’t matter much what brand of toothpaste you choose, as long as it contains fluoride. Any toothpaste containing fluoride and that is certified by the American Dental Association is a safe bet.

Fluoride is a chemical compound that restores minerals to your teeth that have been lost to the acids produced from foods and plaque. Toothpaste with fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth.

Contact Smiles By Dixon In Gainesville And Take Care Of your Dental Health

It is easy to let your dental health take a back seat, especially for patients that suffer dental anxiety. But it is far easier to take preventative measures than it is to try to restore teeth that have been damaged. Why wait until you are in pain? Take care of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing every day, using fluoride toothpaste. Mouthwash is optional, and will ideally include fluoride and no alcohol.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dixon for friendly, professional dental care in Gainesville, Georgia. Or, to learn more, contact Dr. Dixon today.