Mouthwash for Better Oral Health
Who does not love that minty freshness that comes from a daily swish of mouthwash? In addition to freshening your breath, mouthwash promotes better oral health. Also called oral rinse, mouthwash is a liquid product used to rinse your teeth, gums, and mouth. It usually contains an antiseptic to kill harmful bacteria that can live between your teeth and on your tongue.
Some people use mouthwash to fight against bad breath, while others use it to try to prevent tooth decay.
Mouthwash should not be viewed as a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, but as a helpful addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.
Some benefits of mouthwash are:
- Reducing bad breath,
- Help to prevent cavities,
- Fight against gum disease, and
- Relief from dry mouth.
Mouthwashes are divided into two categories:
- Cosmetic: Cosmetic mouthwash may combat bad breath temporarily and leave a pleasant taste.
- Therapeutic: Therapeutic mouthwash has active ingredients that help fight against gingivitis, plaque, dental decay and bad breath.
A mouthwash that is formulated to fight against gingivitis and plaque will likely have antimicrobial ingredients such as chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium, and essential oils.
Mouthwashes that are designed to be anti-cavity will have fluoride ions which help remineralize broken-down enamel.
There are also teeth whitening mouthwashes. These mouthwashes will usually contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient.
How to use Mouthwash?
- Brush your teeth first
Start by brushing and flossing your teeth. If you are brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, wait for a while to use mouthwash.
- How much Mouthwash to use
Pour the mouthwash into the cup provided to you with the bottle. Use only as much prescribed on the bottle to use. It is usually 3 to 5 teaspoons.
- Rinse and Spit it out
Pour the mouthwash into your mouth and swish it. You can also gargle for 30 seconds. Once done, spit it out. It is not meant for ingesting.
I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!
Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.
Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.
Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!
I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.
I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!
Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.
Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.
Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!
I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.
A few important thoughts to end this blog:
- Using mouthwash does not mean you do not need to brush and floss. It is used in conjunction with a proper oral hygiene regimen.
- Always use mouthwash that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
- Use prescription mouthwash as directed.
If you need more guidance on maintaining proper oral hygiene, you can always write to us at smile@fisherorfalydental.com or call us on 978-744-1209.
I was not a fan of going to the dentist! One might say afraid… but thanks to the amazing team at Fisher & Orfaly I am back on track with my 6 month cleanings. The team did an amazing job calming my fears and I can actually say I may even enjoy going to the dentist now! The team is professional, accommodating, and they do a fabulous job cleaning my teeth! I am so grateful that they have me back on track with great dental habits. They certainly have given me something to smile about.
Who likes to go to the dentist? Fear no more. Dr. Orfaly and his staff provide an environment of ease and professionalism that relieve the jitters that so many feel during visits to the dentist. Whether a routine check up or more complex procedure, our experiences have been most positive.
I am someone who has been terrified of the Dentist from a very young age, but after seeing Dr. Orfaly and his team over the past couple of months I have 100% gotten over my fears. I have never felt more comfortable and taken care of by the staff. Everyone is so nice and down to earth they make you feel welcome! Dr. Orfaly even came in on a day they were closed because I was having extreme tooth pain, and he totally fixed the problem, I will never forget that. I’m so happy I decided to go to Fischer & Orfaly, best decision I’ve ever made!
Dr Orfaly is the best dentist around! I have alot of anxiety around going to the dentist & Dr Orfaly always makes sure to check in to see how I'm doing & is so nice. If a referral is needed to a specialist, he makes the call for you & gets you an appt quickly (mine was even the same day) I love how they book you with the same dental hygienist for all cleanings.. Adds another level of comfort... Shoutout to mine, Kathy!! 😊
Before coming to Fisher & Orflay my daughter hated coming to the dentist, she now looks forward to her appointments fully knowing and understanding every procedure being done. They make her visits pleasant each and every time, providing excellent service with the help of their friendly and knowledgeable staff.
After many years of neglecting my my teeth due to fear of the dentist my dental issues got bad enough that I had no choice but to adress them. I randomly selected Fisher & Orfaly and am very glad that I did. Dr Orfaly did a great job while making sure I was as comfortable as possible.After completing the initial, extensive repairs my mouth looks and feels great. In the 10 years since I first visited I had had no new major work needed. Even better, I can walk into the office without that sense of dread that is familiar to so many people.
