Nothing feels as good as a fresh mouth! (Ok, that may be up for discussion.) But seriously, fresh breath and that cool tingle of a proper fluoride mouthwash feel pretty amazing. A fluoride mouthwash is different from the typical kinds. Fluoride mouthwash will strengthen (and whiten!) your teeth, reduce decay, and leave your mouth feeling sooo good. Let\u2019s explore.<\/span><\/p>\n
No surprise here, but the main ingredient <\/span>fluoride<\/span><\/a>! This mineral occurs naturally in certain foods, water, and soil. It can also be synthetically produced and is a component of lots of oral health products. Fluoride is mainly used for cavity and decay prevention. Many countries add it to their drinking water to provide these dental benefits to the general population.<\/span><\/p>\n
Find a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Other ingredients<\/span><\/a> in fluoride mouthwash can vary but often include antiseptics (which work to kill gingivitis and plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth), odor neutralizers (which reduce sulfur compounds leading to bad breath), astringent salts (which can mask bad breath), and various teeth whiteners.<\/span><\/p>\n
Non-fluoride mouthwash can contain some of the same ingredients as fluoride wash. Rinsing with non-fluoride wash is an improvement to using no mouthwash, but its lack of fluoride means it\u2019s not cleaning your teeth. The same protection from decay is not provided, and the emergence of cavities is more likely.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make sure to check the ingredients of the mouthwash you\u2019re about to buy. If you\u2019re looking for fluoride mouthwash, read the ingredients list to confirm it\u2019s explicitly stated as a main component, as it\u2019s not included by default in all washes.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t
Find a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
To understand the benefits of a fluoride wash, let\u2019s first look at\u00a0 how tooth decay happens. When dental plaque begins to form in the mouth, certain kinds of bacteria contained within it produce acids which destroy the enamel and dentin of the tooth. This is called <\/span>demineralization<\/span><\/a> and it can lead to cavities if enough of the tooth is destroyed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Fluoride helps <\/span>remineralize<\/span><\/a> the tooth by adding minerals to the damaged areas. It helps the body use calcium and phosphate to repair teeth. It boosts enamel growth and makes teeth more resistant to future acid decay. Fluoride wash can also reduce the growth of harmful oral bacteria, therefore preventing even more acid damage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Fluoride wash is <\/span>particularly useful<\/span><\/a> for those with increased risk of tooth decay. This includes people with dry mouth, as fewer particles get washed away by saliva, thereby leading to more plaque. Those with braces, bridges, retainers, and crowns are at a higher danger for tooth decay as well, as food particles can get stuck around these additions. And of course, people with a history cavity and gum disease definitely benefit from fluoride washes.<\/span><\/p>\n
Fluoride mouthwash tends to be safe when used in moderation, but overuse can lead to <\/span>various complications<\/span><\/a>. Of course if you have questions or concerns, consider seeing <\/span>your dentist<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
Also, a small number of people may have an <\/span>allergic reaction<\/span><\/a> to fluoride. If you experience rashes, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness, immediately reach out for emergency medical help.<\/span><\/p>\n
While fluoride mouthwash offers lots of benefits, it\u2019s only one of the components of good oral health. Flossing should always be the first step, followed by a diligent brushing! You can use both a fluoride toothpaste and a fluoride mouthwash, but you should wait a few minutes after brushing to avoid washing the fluoride off.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
For young children, use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Monitor their teeth while brushing to ensure they are doing so correctly and that they don\u2019t swallow too much fluoride. And remember, don\u2019t let kids under six use mouthwash.<\/span><\/p>\n
A <\/span>fluoride rinse<\/span><\/a> is a professional treatment administered by a dentist. It may be applied with a swab (around your teeth and gums), a wash, or brush. It can come in the form of a liquid, gel, foam, or varnish. After application, you may be asked to refrain from eating or drinking for a set period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n
Find a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
A professional fluoride rinse contains a considerably larger amount of fluoride than would be found in your fluoride wash or fluoride toothpaste (although still within a safe range). It results in similar benefits to those of regular fluoride mouthwash, which show up more intensely and more rapidly due to the higher fluoride concentration.<\/span><\/p>\n
In some cases, your dentist may also prescribe a fluoride treatment to take home. In these cases, the treatment is most likely to be a wash with a higher fluoride concentration than regular fluoride wash. You may have to specifically <\/span>find a dentist<\/span><\/a> who offers this service.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When used properly, fluoride mouthwash will protect and strengthen your teeth \u2013 and maybe even make them whiter. And you can use it once or twice daily, but always use it properly. Just read the label and follow any instructions <\/span>your dentist<\/span><\/a> has given you. So take a swish and you\u2019ll be smiling hard before you know it!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"