Do You Need to Use Mouthwash If You Brush Your Teeth?

You're probably familiar with your dentist's advice to brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and come in for regular cleanings, X-rays, and exams. But when it comes to other parts of your oral hygiene routine, what's really essential? For example, do you need to use mouthwash every day?

Here's what you should know about incorporating mouthwash into your routine, including what it does and when it can benefit your oral health.

What Does Mouthwash Do?

You might choose to use mouthwash for a variety of reasons, from a quick refresh after a meal to part of a larger oral care plan to reduce tooth decay or sensitivity. Mouthwashes can be therapeutic (i.e., contain active ingredients that fight plaque, bacteria, and bad breath) or cosmetic (temporarily mask symptoms of oral health concerns, such as freshening breath). In most cases, you can find both types at your local pharmacy or supermarket, but your dentist may need to prescribe some therapeutic mouthwashes.

Generally speaking, the purpose of mouthwash is to leave your mouth feeling clean and refreshed. Additionally, some formulas, like Tom's of Maine Whole Care Mouthwash, help restore and strengthen your enamel with fluoride. Other mouthwashes might contain ingredients that inhibit the growth of bacteria that contribute to dental diseases or bad breath.

Do You Really Need to Use Mouthwash?

Mouthwash isn't an essential component of oral health in the same way as brushing and flossing. For most people, it's something you can use to supplement your routine rather than an absolute must. However, oral health experts agree that mouthwashes clinically proven to reduce plaque offer additional benefits to brushing and flossing.

Here are some reasons you might want to add mouthwash to your regimen.

Lower Risk of Infection after Oral Surgery

Using mouthwash after oral surgery can help keep your dental sockets clean and infection-free. Certain areas may also be tender post-surgery (such as after a tooth removal), making it difficult to brush your teeth thoroughly. Mouthwash can help keep things clean in the interim.

Saltwater rinses are also commonly recommended after oral surgery to promote healing.

Freshen Breath

Mouthwash can freshen your breath and clear your mouth of debris after a meal, which can help prevent bacteria buildup. Some therapeutic mouthwashes also contain active ingredients that fight the causes of bad breath (halitosis).

Reduce Plaque

Mouthwash can't remove plaque, but it can inhibit plaque buildup. So while it's not a substitute for brushing, it can benefit your oral hygiene routine—particularly if you have limited dexterity that makes brushing difficult, such as with arthritis. If you're at high risk of developing tooth decay, using a fluoride mouthwash between brushing can also reduce the risk of cavities in the long term.

Why Might Your Dentist Recommend Mouthwash?

In most cases, whether you use mouthwash comes down to personal preference. But do you need to use mouthwash if your dentist recommends it? Your dentist has the inside scoop on your oral health, so it's always a good idea to follow their advice if they suggest using mouthwash regularly.

They may recommend incorporating this step into your routine for several reasons, such as to reduce the risk of oral diseases like dental decay or gum disease or to decrease tooth sensitivity. Your dentist may also suggest mouthwash if you don't produce enough saliva (which means less protection for your teeth).

Best Practices for Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Alcohol can dry out your mouth and increase your risk of oral health concerns, so opt for an alcohol-free formula. If you have kids at home, try a mouthwash free of alcohol, dyes, and sweeteners, like Tom's of Maine Children's Anticavity Mouth Rinse in Silly Strawberry.

To get the most out of your mouthwash, use it at a different time than brushing your teeth, such as after lunch. Rinsing right after brushing your teeth can wash away the benefits of your toothpaste.

Want to learn more? Discover six myths about natural mouthwash and the truths behind them.

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