If you are already brushing and flossing your teeth diligently, but you just can’t seem to maintain a fresh and clean smile, you may benefit from incorporating some kind of mouth rinse into your daily routine. Keep reading to get more information from our Saint Louis dentists about how mouth rinses are used in dentistry to improve oral hygiene results.
Let’s start out by talking about the different ways that rinsing your mouth can improve your dental hygiene routine:
The physical act of vigorously swishing a liquid around your mouth can dislodge dental debris, food particles, and oral bacteria. This works to limit the amount of time that oral bacteria in your mouth are able to feed on sugars and refined carbohydrates.
The specific formulation of the mouth rinse that you use can also help you achieve specific oral health objectives. There are a number of useful rinses available on the market today; they can help you freshen your breath, prevent cavities gum disease, and strengthen enamel.
Here are some active ingredients to look out for when evaluating different mouthwash formulations:
· Zinc and hydrogen peroxide are both used to help minimize plaque and tartar build-up.
· Fluoride is included in many mouth rinse formulations as well as toothpastes; fluoride works to re-mineralize and strengthen dental enamel, which may minimize your risk of developing cavities.
· Many people who suffer from dry mouth (which leaves patients prone to suffering from cavities, gum disease, and bad breath) use rinses with enzymes like Lysozyme and Lactoperoxidase to help keep their smiles fresh and hydrated.
If you think that a mouth rinse may be helpful for your smile, talk to your dentist about what type of formulation is right for you. Our Saint Louis dentists are happy to give you more information and answer your questions—give us a call to get started!