Already using mouthwash, do you need to brush your teeth again?

Mouthwash is now commonly used as a closing ritual after brushing your teeth. However, feeling lazy sometimes makes a person "jump" to the final stage and skip a toothbrush. In fact, these two activities are usually complementary. So, if you already use mouthwash, can you not brush your teeth again?

Can using mouthwash replace a toothbrush?

Keep in mind that mouthwash cannot replace a toothbrush. John Ictech-Cassis, DDS, DMD, a clinical lecturer at the School of Dental Medicine at Boston University, states that brushing your teeth is one irreplaceable primary care.

Mouthwash does have many benefits for oral health. However, this one treatment product cannot remove piles of food and plaque that sticks to teeth.

Plaque is a bacteria that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay if not cleaned. In fact, plaque can also harden and form tartar.

A great way to clean plaque and all the dirt on your teeth is to brush it. Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes until the deepest sidelines every morning and night.

Mouthwash is only used to complete the treatment. Even so, try not to use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth. The reason is this can interfere with the effectiveness of fluoride and other useful ingredients in toothpaste.

It's best to give a break after brushing your teeth when you want to use mouthwash, for example, after lunch.

Benefits of mouthwash

Although only a complement, mouthwash also has various benefits. Here are some of the benefits of using mouthwash, including:

Reduces the risk of cavities

Nicholas Toscano, DDS, a member of the American periodontology specialist dentist community, states that mouthwash containing fluoride can help reduce cavities.

Toscano stated that there are a lot of studies that prove the benefits of fluoride to prevent the reduction of minerals in the teeth so that they don't get cavities easily.

Overcoming canker sores

Routinely using mouthwash is also quite effective to help treat canker sores. This one product reduces canker sores by detoxifying the affected area by reducing the number of irritating bacteria.

Apart from mouthwash that is sold in the market, this benefit can also be obtained when you rinse your mouth with salt water.

Against gum disease

Apart from teeth, the gums are prone to inflammation and infection. Usually this condition arises from plaque and bacteria that adhere to the teeth and are not cleaned. When gargling regularly with antibacterial mouthwash, various gum diseases can be prevented and overcome.

Keeping pregnancy healthy

A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found evidence that mouthwash is useful for preventing early birth.

In research, it is stated that pregnant women who use mouthwash during pregnancy are less likely to experience premature birth than those who do not.

This is because preterm birth and babies with low body weight are indeed one of the risks that arise when the mother has a gum infection.

Bacteria from gum infections can enter the bloodstream of pregnant women and increase inflammation in the body. If this happens, this condition can stimulate contractions.

Mouthwash side effects

Apart from providing benefits, there are several side effects of mouthwash that cannot be underestimated. Mouthwash can irritate canker sores if the alcohol content in it is too high. Although it can relieve canker sores, mouthwash can make it worse if the products you are using are not right.

In addition, the high alcohol content in mouthwash can cause dry mouth. When your mouth is too dry, you are prone to bad breath and irritation of the mouth tissues.

Not only that, for some people the alcohol contained in this product can also cause sensitivity to the surface of the tooth root.

Therefore, you should ask your dentist about the type of mouthwash that is safest and most effective before buying it.