There is nothing new about waking up in the morning with breath that is less than desirable. Throughout the night, with less saliva to clean away bacteria, a host of germs have clustered to make mischief among our gums and teeth, causing our breath to become sour. With this increase in bacteria, we have all the makings for plaque buildup and gingivitis (gum disease). Using a mouthwash after brushing our teeth helps to prevent these bacteria from attaching to our gums and teeth while freshening our breath for the day.
Most mouthwashes have germ-killing, antiseptic ingredients and come in flavors that are appealing to everyone. There are many choices for helping you maintain good oral hygiene: fluoride, which helps to harden the enamel surface of your teeth in order to fight cavities; anti-plaque formulae, which loosen plaque from the surface of your teeth; smoker’s solutions, which help remove tobacco stains; and natural washes that contain no alcohol or sugar and use baking soda to remove stains.
Brush your teeth thoroughly and then floss before using a mouthwash so that the ingredients can remain in your mouth to do their work. It is best to wait at least half an hour before drinking or eating so that the mouthwash can achieve its full effect.
Pour a small amount into a cup or into the cap of your mouthwash bottle and then swish throughout your mouth. Push the rinse through your teeth, making sure it makes contact with your gums. Do not swallow! After rinsing for 1 minute, spit out the mouthwash and give it the allotted time to do its job thoroughly.
Points to remember:
If you use a fluoride rinse, do so only once a day. Use other mouthwash formula throughout the day.
Use a natural mouthwash for children. Many commercial brands contain alcohol, which can be dangerous for children's use. Keep your commercial brands out of reach so that your kids cannot get to them and swallow the contents.
How to Use Mouthwash
Jul 16, 2009 | By
