What role does mouthwash play in maintaining oral hygiene?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 48-year-old male. I have poor oral hygiene. So, I am keen to understand the connection between oral health and overall health. Could you recommend the type of toothbrush (manual versus electric) and the toothpaste (fluoride, non-fluoride, sensitivity-focused) that would be most suitable for different family members based on their dental needs?

How important is flossing, and what is the correct way to do it? What role does mouthwash play in maintaining oral hygiene? In addition to our daily oral hygiene routines, how frequently should we schedule dental check-ups and cleanings? Do you have any special recommendations for teaching children about the importance of oral hygiene and helping them develop good dental care habits from a young age?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I read your query and understand your concern.

The mouth is the mirror to our body, all the microorganisms travel from the oral cavity to the body inside. So keeping our oral cavity clean is essential, when these pathogenic microorganisms travel throughout the body they can affect the cardiac system, can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, gastric issues, and so on. So having good oral hygiene is very essential.

First brushing, then flossing and a mouth rinse is the sequence by which oral hygiene must be maintained. Brushing with medium tuft brushes is advisable for adults, kids, and elderly patients soft and ultra-soft bristles are recommended. A manual toothbrush is good but we need to use a proper brushing technique to clean the teeth, otherwise, an electric toothbrush is also highly recommended for kids and elderly patients. An electric toothbrush has all the preloaded motions for proper brushing which is very helpful to have good oral hygiene.

Toothpaste with fluoride is advisable as fluoride is essential to prevent dental caries. For kids below three years fluoridated toothpaste is recommended. Go for some plain white toothpaste rather than a gel or colored ones. Interdental brushes or floss is necessary to clean the interdental area, where there are a lot of food deposits. So kindly do not use toothpicks or safety pins to clean the interdental area.

Then mouth rinses are good antiseptics, which can prevent the multiplication of bad bacteria. Even in patients who cannot brush properly, mouth rinse can solve the purpose. Along with this tongue scrapers are also advised as the food can lodge on the surface of the tooth and cause bad breath. Although we have numerous techniques available to keep our oral cavity clean, there are a lot of areas where you cannot reach and clean it properly. So, usually, we recommend twice a year to visit the dentist to get your teeth cleaned and to have a proper check of your mouth

For children, kindly emphasize brushing twice a day now there are separate toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwashes available for kids specifically, so try using them for them. The kid's products are generally infused with fruit flavor which they would love to use again and again.

I hope this helps.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.