Mouthwash is very popular. Here are some things you need to know about it!

Author: Huang Lin, Chief Pharmacist, Peking University People's Hospital

Reviewer: Si Yan, Chief Physician, Peking University School of Stomatology

With the improvement of living standards, people pay more and more attention to health, and also pay more and more attention to oral health and hygiene.

In addition to brushing teeth and using dental floss to maintain oral health, many people also choose mouthwash. Mouthwashes with different functions are popular among people.

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Here are some things you need to know about mouthwash.

1. What is the difference between medical mouthwash and health mouthwash? How to choose?

There are many types of mouthwash, which can be roughly divided into two categories: medical mouthwash and health-care mouthwash.

Medical mouthwash: The relevant procedures for drugs have been applied for and approved. When purchasing, a doctor's prescription is required.

Medical mouthwash can treat gum disease, oral infection, and disinfect local trauma. This type of mouthwash contains many chemical ingredients. When using it, you should pay attention to whether there are adverse drug reactions; whether the local microecological balance of the oral cavity is disturbed; whether there is tooth discoloration; and whether there are changes in taste.

Health-care mouthwash: You don’t need a prescription to buy it. You can buy it in shopping malls or supermarkets. Health-care mouthwash has the function of refreshing breath. Its main ingredients are antibacterial agents, fragrances, dyes, sweeteners, etc.

Therefore, it is recommended to consult relevant medical personnel on the selection and use of mouthwash, as it may be difficult for ordinary people to distinguish.

2. Can mouthwash replace brushing teeth?

Mouthwash has a certain effect in cleaning the oral cavity, but it cannot replace brushing your teeth.

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Some medical mouthwashes have sterilization and bactericidal effects and can prevent the formation of dental plaque, but it is impossible to have a mechanical friction like brushing teeth. To remove dental plaque, you mainly need to rely on brushing teeth or using dental floss. Mouthwash cannot directly remove dental plaque.

3. Can mouthwash be used every day?

Whether it is ordinary mouthwash or medical mouthwash, it is not recommended for healthy people to use it every day like toothpaste, and it is not recommended for long-term use. Oral health care should be mainly based on brushing teeth.

If there is a bad odor in your mouth for a long time, do not use mouthwash to cover it up. You must go to the hospital in time to consult a doctor's professional advice to avoid delaying the treatment.

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So, what are the dangers of long-term use of mouthwash?

First of all, the local microecological environment of the oral cavity is balanced, with good bacteria and bad bacteria colonizing together in the oral cavity, forming a relatively balanced oral microecological environment.

Mouthwash contains antibacterial or bactericidal ingredients. Long-term use will undoubtedly disrupt this balance, causing bacterial flora imbalance, and may cause some unnecessary harm, such as oral fungal infection caused by long-term use.

In terms of the ingredients of mouthwash, different mouthwashes may contain various ingredients, and long-term use may have some adverse effects. For example, chlorhexidine acetate mouthwash, long-term use will stain teeth or oral mucosa, black or yellow. Some mouthwashes may also cause taste changes or inhibit saliva secretion, leading to dry mouth and tongue, etc.

Generally speaking, the bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth with food every day are beneficial to maintaining the overall microecological balance of the body. The gastrointestinal tract is a long river, and the mouth is the source of the river. If the source is controlled well and the local microenvironment is maintained well, the entire river may be very clear and the body will be very healthy. When the oral flora is destroyed, the whole body will be affected. Oral diseases are closely related to systemic diseases.

Therefore, it is recommended that you use mouthwash when necessary and not use it when not necessary. If you need to use it, use it under the guidance of a doctor and do not use it for a long time.

4. Can I use mouthwash during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a special period, and it is recommended to use health-care mouthwash to assist in the health and hygiene of the local oral cavity.

It is important to avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol during pregnancy.