Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial and essential. Daily care for your teeth is necessary to ensure their health. In this section of the article, we will examine the use of toothpaste and mouthwash to determine their roles and benefits.
Does Mouthwash Really Work?
Using mouthwash can effectively clean nearly 100% of bacteria from the surface of teeth, whereas brushing primarily focuses on cleaning only about 25% of the tooth surface. Even with regular brushing and flossing, some bacteria remain between the teeth and in the mouth. Incorporating an antimicrobial mouthwash into your routine twice a day, along with regular brushing, can significantly reduce plaque buildup and gum inflammation.
Researchers conducted a six-month study on 139 adults with mild to moderate dental plaque. Participants were divided into two groups: the first group brushed their teeth and used an antimicrobial mouthwash twice daily, while the second group brushed their teeth and used a placebo mouthwash twice daily. Results showed that the group using the antimicrobial mouthwash experienced a 26.3% reduction in plaque buildup and a 20.4% decrease in gum inflammation.
In another study, two groups were given the same toothbrushes, dental floss, and toothpaste, but their mouthwash varied. One group received a substance that was not an actual mouthwash (though they believed it was), while the other used a real mouthwash. After six months, the group using the real mouthwash showed a 26% reduction in tooth decay and experienced less gum bleeding compared to the placebo group.
Thus, using mouthwash proves to be highly effective in maintaining dental health.
Important Tips for Choosing and Using Mouthwash
Choose a Reputable Brand: Just like toothpaste, it’s essential to purchase mouthwash from a reliable source and a trusted brand.
Avoid Alcohol: Mouthwashes containing alcohol can dry out the mouth and make teeth more prone to decay. Ensure your chosen mouthwash is alcohol-free.
Don’t Rinse with Water: After using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, some plaque may remain on the gums and tongue. Certain areas of the teeth are also hard to reach. Mouthwash is an excellent option for removing residual plaque; however, it’s crucial not to rinse your mouth with water immediately after using mouthwash.
How to Choose a Good Toothpaste?
The best way to choose a suitable toothpaste is to consult your dentist. However, since some dentists may promote specific brands, it's important to have your own knowledge to make a confident choice. Consider the following features when selecting toothpaste:
Contains Fluoride: The primary goal of toothpaste is to prevent tooth decay. Therefore, choose a toothpaste that clearly states "contains fluoride" on the packaging.
Pay Attention to Flavor: Toothpaste varieties, including charcoal, stain-removing, gel-based, or regular ones, all aim to protect your teeth. However, you can't use a toothpaste with a taste or smell you dislike or one that makes your teeth sensitive. Spending money to find the right toothpaste is much better than the cost of filling cavities. Purchase toothpaste that suits your dental needs.
Buy from Reputable Sources: These days, even street vendors sell toothpaste, but it's unclear whether these products are authentic or hygienic. Don’t be tempted by lower prices. Invest a little more to buy toothpaste from reputable stores to avoid concerns about oral and gum diseases.
Choose Stain-Removing Toothpaste if Needed: If you smoke or drink a lot of tea or coffee, you’ve likely noticed their effect on your teeth's color. To restore whiteness, consult your dentist and use whitening or stain-removing toothpaste occasionally. Remember, overusing these products can damage your tooth enamel. As some dentists say: "White teeth aren’t always healthy teeth."
Which Toothbrush is Best for You?
Keep in mind that if you have a good toothpaste but the toothbrush isn't suitable, something will be lacking, eventually leading you to a visit to the dentist. Nowadays, there are various types of good toothbrushes from reputable brands, each suited to different types of teeth. For example, soft toothbrushes are ideal for sensitive teeth, small-headed brushes are useful for cleaning back teeth that are hard to reach, and electric toothbrushes are suitable for all types of teeth. All you need to do is identify the best models of electric toothbrushes or know which manual toothbrush is suitable for you, and you’ll take another step toward maintaining healthy teeth.
Finally, Is Toothpaste Better or Mouthwash?
Based on the points we've discussed so far, you probably already know the answer! Toothpaste and mouthwash are complementary, and one should never replace the other. Your teeth's health is important! Most people brush their teeth for less than a minute, while they should be brushing for at least two minutes. Additionally, only 2 to 10 percent of people use dental floss correctly and regularly. Using an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day is another effective way to fight bacteria and can significantly help in resolving oral health issues.
