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asking for a friend: i love mouthwash, but does it really do anything for me?

while swishing some minty blue stuff around in your mouth might feel good, your best bet for fresh breath is regular flossing and brushing.

by karen hawthorne

published sep 23, 2022

3 minute read

join the conversation

3 minute read

join the conversation

advice: mouthwash is not the best way to avoid bad breath

experts say that mouthwash can be helpful — and not just for oral health. getty

dear asking for a friend, are there really any benefits to using mouthwash — or is it just a waste of another bottle?

signed,

eco-conscious

dear eco-conscious,

who doesn’t want fresh breath and a great smile? those outcomes are one side of the picture of dental hygiene.

on the other side, the buildup of harmful bacteria in your mouth can make your gums prone to inflammation and bleeding, cause cavities and get into your bloodstream, increasing your risk of other health problems.

research has linked poor dental health to serious conditions like heart disease, alzheimer’s and dementia, diabetes and other inflammatory illnesses. in 2021, two major studies on older populations in the u.k. and u.s., published in scientific reports, suggested that older people with poor oral health may have a reduced life expectancy because of cardiovascular disease and respiratory mortality.

is washing your mouth with something minty a waste of time?

if you’re making the effort to floss and brush regularly, mouthwash seems like it could be an added step that has you buying an additional product (and its packaging) that you may not really need, plus adding more time to your a.m./p.m. routine.

but experts say that mouthwash can be helpful — and not just for oral health.

researchers at cardiff university in 2020 found that over-the-counter mouthwashes that contain cetylpyridinium chloride (cpc) can help reduce the transmission of covid-19 by killing the virus in human saliva, ctv news reports.

more recently, corporation johnson & johnson has been touting its listerine mouthwash citing data from clinical studies in new digital ads to show its effectiveness in easing the common gum disease gingivitis, according to digiday.

it’s how and when you use it that makes mouthwash most effective

dr. john glenny, a toronto dentist for 24 years, says that ultimately, mouthwash is optional, provided you’re taking good care of your teeth.

most important, he says, is brushing at least twice daily and flossing daily, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleaning.

“even though mouthwash isn’t absolutely necessary and is definitely not a substitute for brushing and flossing, some patients just don’t feel they’re doing a perfect job if they don’t use mouthwash,” says glenny. “it’s just important to know how and when to use it for best effect.”

if you’re using mouthwash, the routine to follow is flossing first, use mouthwash and then brush, he says. “flossing disrupts bacteria growth under the gum-line. the mouthwash can help clear away that disrupted bacteria and other germs in the rest of your mouth. brushing last is vital because it’s the fluoride in toothpaste that helps to protect your teeth, so using mouthwash or even swishing with water right afterward will prevent your toothpaste from fully doing its job.”

forget the big rinse and spit, and stick with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your brush.

watch out for ‘dry mouth’

alcohol-based mouthwash, however, can have a drying effect on your mouth, causing bad breath and cavities — glenny says once a day is enough. he recommends talking to your dentist about the best mouthwash to use, whether your preference is chemical-based or more natural, with menthol and eucalyptol. the most appropriate mouthwash for you can vary depending on your dental health, if you’re taking certain medications or have other health issues, or even a sensitive mouth.

glenny also says that people with gum issues benefit the most from using mouthwash because it helps kill some of the bacteria that may be contributing to the condition. some mouthwashes contain fluoride too, which is great for people at higher risk of tooth decay.

does mouthwash make your breath more fresh?

only “for a while,” says glenny, adding that the best approach to breath that doesn’t smell bad comes back to daily flossing and brushing, and brushing or scraping your tongue, which often gets overlooked.

“lots of bacteria and food residue hang out on your tongue so keep it clean,” he says. “also stay hydrated by drinking flat water throughout the day and evening.”

karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.

is there something about health that you (or a friend, wink, wink) have always wondered about but are too embarrassed to ask? send a note to info@healthing.ca. we promise your ‘friend’s’ secret — and identity — is safe with us!

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karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

asking for a friend: i love mouthwash, but does it really do anything for me?

while swishing some minty blue stuff around in your mouth might feel good, your best bet for fresh breath is regular flossing and brushing.

is washing your mouth with something minty a waste of time?

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it’s how and when you use it that makes mouthwash most effective

watch out for ‘dry mouth’

does mouthwash make your breath more fresh?

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asking for a friend: i love mouthwash, but does it really do anything for me?

while swishing some minty blue stuff around in your mouth might feel good, your best bet for fresh breath is regular flossing and brushing.

is washing your mouth with something minty a waste of time?

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