Does mouthwash do any good, or is it a waste of money?!
Question:
Does mouthwash do any good, or is it a waste of money?
Additional Details
1 month ago
I brush twice a day, and have no mouth odor. Since the mouthwash doesn't get below the adhesion of the gums then the effects seem to be very short lived.
Answers:
It depends on the mouthwash. Listerine and the new Crest rinse both are germ killing rinses. Scope does not kill the bacteria. You have to use the rinse correctly. Rinse 30 secs. - 1 min. after brushing & flossing. Don't rinse it off after. Wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. The bacteria are not permanently killed, but it lessens the count and their activity for a little while. I don't normally push rinsing on my patients unless there is a specific problem, and then it will not be forever. If your mouthwash is a prescription type, yes they do work, but sometimes cause staining, which polishes off at the next cleaning. If you are staining it shows where you are not brushing and flossing correctly, so it is good and bad that it does this. The stain will come off so it is worth using the rinse to clear up gum infections.