How Does Mouthwash Help My Smile?

To keep our smiles healthy, we clear plaque and other harmful residues with proper oral hygiene practices. You can do more to keep your teeth clean and fresh feeling besides brushing your teeth and flossing.

Mouthwash provides oral health advantages that will better preserve the look and feel of your smile. Read on to learn three ways that you can improve the health of your teeth and gums when you add mouthwash to your routine.

3 Oral Health Benefits from Mouthwash

Boost Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth twice each day and flossing daily will prevent plaque from spreading across your smile and eating away at your teeth. Though you may be diligent about your oral hygiene routine, you still consume substances throughout your day that can contribute to plaque formation.

Mouthwash is a useful tool to rinse lingering food particles and other residues from your teeth, especially if used after a meal. This will also lower your risk of forming bad breath.

Food particles that stick to your smile can begin to decay if left in your mouth. This process can produce an odor that can make you feel self-conscious. You can prevent this uncomfortable symptom and lower your risk of dental problems with mouthwash.

Protect Your Gums from Infection

If the natural bacteria in your mouth reach your gum tissue, it could become infected in a condition called periodontal disease. Once contracted, you will need treatment from a dentist to get rid of the infection.

The early stages of this disease will leave gum tissue inflamed. But if the infection progresses, you could suffer irreversible damage to the tooth root or jawbone that could result in tooth loss.

Dentists emphasize preventative care when it comes to gum health, which includes oral hygiene. However, some patients are more prone to bacterial imbalances that could heighten their risk for gum disease. If this is the case, they can bring more balance to the bacteria by rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash.

Strengthen Your Tooth Enamel

The outer layer of your teeth, enamel, is strong, protecting the interior of your teeth. However, certain substances can cause your enamel to erode, exposing sensitive portions of your teeth which could harm their structure.

Once enamel deteriorates, it cannot regrow on its own and may require restorative dental treatments to amend the damage. Dentists may suggest covering and replacing weakened enamel with a dental crown. You can boost the strength of your enamel, preserving the natural structure of your smile, by rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride.

Fluoride is a material that fortifies your tooth enamel, making it better resistant to tooth decay and surface stains. This means that you can keep your teeth looking and feeling their best.

Patients may notice a reduction in their risks of cavity formation as well. For more advice on preserving your smile, consult your dental professional and schedule regular teeth cleanings.