Brush your teeth, floss, and swish with mouthwash. This is the system most of us have come to know and stick to care for our teeth and gums. However, it’s important to question if your mouthwash is helping or hurting your oral health. Read on to see our take on the matter!
What it ultimately comes down to is that most mouthwashes don’t do what they’re advertising. Companies often promote mouthwash products by claiming they’ll reduce plaque, kill germs, whiten teeth, strengthen enamel, and more.
Mouthwash can do more harm than good as they often harm the oral microbiome of your mouth. This is your mouth’s most valuable immunity tool for your oral health! Mouthwash essentially works as an antibiotic your mouth doesn’t need. It can disrupt and affect the necessary balance of bacteria in your mouth. The good bacteria that gets killed is needed to help prevent and decrease gingivitis, bad breath, and even cavities. You also need an adequate amount of saliva in your mouth to keep it healthy and mouthwash reduces how much you naturally produce. This can cause tooth decay due to a lack of necessary vitamins and minerals like magnesium, K2, and phosphorus. Without them, you’ll likely see more cavities.
Many people turn to mouthwash to eliminate bad breath. However, mouth wash is a temporary solution that doesn’t get to the root of the problem. A lot of the time, bad breath is a result of an imbalance in the body. To remedy the issue, try a diet that’s high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamin D! Avoid foods like simple starches, dried fruits, acidic foods and drinks, and sugary foods and drinks.
If you are going to use mouthwash, there are several ingredients you should check for and avoid. First up is alcohol. This is the main culprit for drying out your mouth. Chlorine dioxide is a bleaching agent to help whiten your teeth and has been defined as a hazardous gas by the CDC! Avoid Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Chlorhexidine, Poloxamer 4007, Parabens, Saccharin, and Formaldehyde as well as they all can cause serious damage to your oral health.
Marshall S. Skopp, DMD offers top-quality dental care treatments and services for healthy and beautiful smiles. From cleaning services to major surgeries, we’ve got all your dental care covered. Our office is located at 2040 Forest Avenue in Staten Island and you can reach us by phone with questions or appointment requests at 718-982-5230!