Daily brushing and flossing combined with regular professional dental cleanings from the Greentree team are still the most effective way to keep your mouth healthy. However, according to the American Dental Association, therapeutic mouthrinses or mouthwashes can help improve your overall oral health.
There are two types of mouthwashes. Cosmetic mouthwashes are typically designed simply to cover and hide bad breath. They do not address the causes leading to breath odor. Therapeutic anti-cavity fluoride rinses directly attack the underlying causes of bad breath as they help prevent deeper oral health issues.
Here are some preventative health benefits to adding a 30-second anti-cavity fluoride mouthrinse to your daily regimen.
Prevent Plaque Build-Up
Without regular oral hygiene, plaque builds up on your teeth leading to calculus or tartar. When excessive, this build up can eventually cause decay. According to the American Dental Association, mouthwash with the ADA seal can prevent additional levels of plaque from building up.
Prevent Gingivitis
Gingivitis, the early stages of gum disease, is caused when tartar builds up on your gum line. In addition to good daily oral hygiene habits, anti-bacterial mouthrinse can help reduce the bacteria in your mouth that leads to gum issues including gingivitis and other periodontal concerns.
Prevent Cavities
Cavities are caused as your teeth decay without regular hygiene care. It is well known that brushing and flossing provide a frontline defense for preventing cavities. However, a regular 30-second swish can add a bonus boost to your cavity prevention. Make sure you select one of the many anti-cavity fluoride rinses on the market designed specifically to target cavity prevention. Follow the directions on the label. And, as always, only buy anti-cavity mouthwash with the ADA seal of approval.
Prevent Enamel Erosion
Enamel is a thin outer tooth covering that protects teeth from daily activities such as chewing and grinding. While we may not realize it, acid from certain foods, soft drinks, fruit drinks, and coffee wears away at the enamel over time. Combined with flouride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash can help protect, restore and strengthen enamel as it absorbs into the surface of the tooth.
Brush, floss and consider adding an anti-cavity fluoride mouthrinse to your daily hygiene routine. Not only will those close to you benefit from your fresh breath, your teeth will thank you.
If you need mouthwash recommendations, please feel free to contact the Greentree team.
