During any of your grocery shopping sprees, you probably grabbed a bottle of mouthwash in a hurry. While it’s common knowledge that mouthwash is used to freshen up your teeth and control bad bacteria, there’s still much that you can learn.
If you’re curious about the average mouthwash, you can satisfy your knowledge by reading this article.
Mouthwash – The Real Deal
Did you know that the average, almost generic-looking mouthwash was once marketed as a floor cleaning agent? Yes, that’s correct! Antiseptic mouthwash has strong ingredients that can take care of undesirable elements like dirt, mud, and bacteria. When Listerine was introduced to the market, the floor-cleaning mouthwash evolved into a mouth-friendly product that will be used by thousands of people worldwide.
Mouthwash is divided into two categories – cosmetic and antiseptic. Cosmetic mouthwash is primarily used for breath improvement while antiseptic mouthwash is meant to kill bacteria. Understanding the distinction between the two will help you make better oral health decisions.
Why You Need Mouthwash?
Mouthwash is as important as rubbing alcohol. You know that you can rely on it, but you shouldn’t use it often. Despite this comparison, thousands of people around the world rely on mouthwash every day. The reasons vary, and understanding them is a key factor to better oral health optimization.
Whenever needed, your dentist will recommend the right mouthwash. But keep in mind that this recommendation shouldn’t last forever. Your dentist knows that long-term usage of mouthwash can lead to disastrous effects. Very likely, you’ll need mouthwash to support the improvement of your oral health.
Another popular reason for continuous mouthwash usage is to make one’s breath as flowery or as minty as possible. Cosmetic mouthwash brands will make you feel comfortable and confident, thus you may end up overestimating its benefits.
Mouthwash Alternatives
While there are tons of mouthwash products that you can find in the market today, some alternatives are worth your attention. Mouthwash alternatives are mostly DIY, but you can always purchase ready-made products online.
The safest DIY mouthwash that you can use is a gentle salt rinse. You can make this by mixing salt into warm water and swishing away. A salt rinse is an effective temporary pain relief for cold sores, and it’s virtually safer to use than commercial mouthwash. It’s also inexpensive but you need to spend a few minutes concocting the rinse.
Another natural method that you can try is oil pulling. This ancient mouth cleaning tradition has been around for hundreds of years and counting. To start oil pulling, you need to pour coconut oil or sesame oil on a tablespoon. Afterwards, swirl it around your mouth for 5-20 minutes. Spit the oil and rinse your mouth with water once you’re done. The main benefit of oil pulling is detoxification. It can whiten your teeth, improve your energy balance, and make your skin clearer than ever.
A healthy mouth has a balanced combination of good and bad bacteria. It also has a decent PH level that’s essential for your oral health. Mouthwash can’t balance your mouth’s PH level, but a specific rinsing agent can. DIY PH balancing rinses are excellent options. You can try a simple solution of baking soda and water. To make it even more interesting, you can add natural oils like cinnamon or peppermint.
Final Thoughts
It’s undeniable that the average mouthwash won’t go away anytime soon. Just remember that any mouthwash is a complementary product that mustn’t replace regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-up.
Are you planning to have a specific dental procedure anytime soon or do you have any dental related questions? If so feel free to contact our dental office today.