Does everyone use a mouthwash?

RazWaz

I've tried using them in the past but as soon as it hits my tongue I tend to immediately throw up, my breath ends up better for not using them!

Valerie84

Nothing beats proper brushing- 10 mins- and think it's safe to say most people probably fall short of the ten mins! Iuse Listerine- the alcohol content I find very strong and it stings- possibly mild mint is better. I may change to Corsodyl- but to be honest, I think many of these mouthwashes are not very comfortable- it's one of those "grin and bear it"- or should i say" swirl and bear it" ! :-)

jugglebug

Valerie84 wrote: »

Nothing beats proper brushing- 10 mins- and think it's safe to say most people probably fall short of the ten mins! Iuse Listerine- the alcohol content I find very strong and it stings- possibly mild mint is better. I may change to Corsodyl- but to be honest, I think many of these mouthwashes are not very comfortable- it's one of those "grin and bear it"- or should i say" swirl and bear it" ! :-)

Some early research done in Australia I believe links the higher alcohol mouthwashes with other problems. Although I seem to remember only in high risk groups of people and those with an already high Alcohol intake. :eek:

But why grin and bear it when the benefits generally are so low?

brook2jack

10 minutes brushing is way too long you will wear enamel away. 2 minutes twice a day and floss and or use tepe brushes.

Take your brush and floss with you next time you go to the dentist. Most people use far too large a brush and few brush correctly. In addition of the few people who floss 80% do it incorrectly. Get your dentist /hygienist to check your supplies and technique.

I also never use a mouthwash and very rarely advise one. Most people use it as an alternative to flossing/ tepe brushes and in America the FDA has stepped in to stop Listerine and other mouth wash companies making false claims about the efficacy of mouthwash..... Claims they still make here.

Save your money ,if a dentist hasn't advised it don't use it you're spitting money down the drain.

SparkyG

Retardex is brilliant if you want to avoid inflicting garlic/spicy food breath on people the morning after!:p I've found it kills food smells stone dead. Not good for masking bad breath caused by dental problems which need dealing with, but it is alcohol free, and I just use it to ensure my breath is as sweet as me:D

Troythecat

I've never used mouthwash.

Toothsmith

brook2jack wrote: »

10 minutes brushing is way too long you will wear enamel away. 2 minutes twice a day and floss and or use tepe brushes.

10 mins may not be too long, if it includes the time with the Tepes.

I can't remember his name, but I have heard of a periodontology (gum problems) lecturer who recommends 'The Archers' toothbrushing routine.

That is, for his patients that he's treating for gum problems, he recommends they spend as long brushing their teeth as an episode of 'The Archers'.

I think you need a very middle class patient base to get away with that one though!

esio_trot

Fluorigard for me (dentist recommended) after lunch or dinner, depending on when I'm in the house - that way it doesn't clash with brushing et al. Helps that I like the taste of the blue stuff and you don't need to use much of it

Dick_Turpin99

Flossing with the little sticks has made a huge difference for me, but once in a while, say for example if there's a mouth ulcer I use Difflam and it will take the sting out them.

I think you could probably over-do it theough, take away the mouth's natural defence bacteria

brook2jack

Toothsmith wrote: »

10 mins may not be too long, if it includes the time with the Tepes.

I can't remember his name, but I have heard of a periodontology (gum problems) lecturer who recommends 'The Archers' toothbrushing routine.

Unfortunately most people take about as long as the cillit bang advert.

10 minutes may not be too long cleaning but it is too long brushing.... I see plenty of people who obsessively brush the fronts teeth virtually wearing them away and using abrasive whitening products, but then neglect the bits they can't see and don't floss.

The main problem I have with mouthwash ,other than the fact for most problems it does nothing and manufacturers make false claims about its usefullness , is that people use it instead of flossing or tepe brushes ("they make my gums bleed/sore , it's too fiddly, it takes too long").