Your at-home oral care routine is essential for protecting yourself from cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. But, with so many steps in this routine, you may wonder whether mouthwash is an essential part of it. While you might think mouthwash isn’t a vital step for keeping your smile healthy, it plays a large role in a bright, healthy smile.

In this blog, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about oral rinses to ensure your smile looks and feels its best. 

1. What Does Mouthwash Do? 

Mouthwash is an oral rinse that complements other oral hygiene techniques. These rinses include ingredients like fluoride, xylitol, or chlorhexidine to help dental patients reduce bacteria, freshen breath, prevent plaque buildup, and sometimes reduce gum disease or cavities. Each rinse is different, and what it does for your oral health will likely depend on your concerns. 

2. When Should You Use an Oral Rinse? 

If you are choosing to incorporate an oral rinse into your oral hygiene routine, it should be used after you brush and floss your teeth. The ingredients in these rinses, like fluoride, perform best when they remain on your teeth. Additionally, your oral rinse will do a good job of removing any tough, stuck-on food particles or bacteria that your oral care routine didn’t manage to address. 

3. How Often Should You Use Your Rinse? 

How often you use your oral rinse will depend on the manufacturer’s instructions and your dentist’s recommendation. It is usually best to use these rinses one to two times a day, but you shouldn’t use them more than twice a day. Overusing your mouthwash’s strong, active ingredients may result in dry mouth, canker sores, or increased sensitivity throughout the day. 

4. Can It Replace Brushing and Flossing? 

Although you may want to incorporate an oral rinse into your everyday oral care routine, it is important that this doesn’t replace other, more effective, and essential steps. You should always brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily to ensure your teeth are clean and free from bacteria, food particles, tartar, and plaque. 

5. Are There Different Mouthwashes? 

There are several different oral rinses you can use based on your oral concerns. The most common rinses include cosmetic, therapeutic, and alcohol-free options. Most patients will use a rinse that helps them prevent cavities and freshen their breath throughout the day. However, some patients may benefit from a prescription rinse if they’re dealing with oral ailments. 

6. Can Children Use an Oral Rinse? 

While oral rinses are a great way to boost your oral health habits, they may not be the best choice for young children. If you have a child under 6, your dentist may recommend avoiding this product to prevent them from accidentally swallowing it. For older children, you should monitor their usage to ensure they use it properly. 

7. Can These Rinses Help with Halitosis? 

If you are experiencing halitosis, mouthwash can be a good way to complement other oral hygiene techniques. However, if you are dealing with chronic bad breath, it is often best to speak to your dentist about dental cleanings and periodontal treatment to help combat the root cause of this problem. 

8. Does It Prevent Cavities? 

Common ingredients found in mouthwash, like fluoride, can help prevent cavities. However, this shouldn’t be your main technique for fighting tooth decay, as other oral hygiene techniques like brushing and flossing are far more effective at protecting your teeth. If you want to prevent cavities, it is best to thoroughly brush and floss and attend regular dental checkups. 

9. Is It Safe to Use Every Day? 

Mouthwash is safe for everyday use as long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions or recommendations provided by your dental team. However, overusing mouthwash or using it in place of other oral hygiene techniques can be harmful to your smile. It is best to follow your dental team’s advice to ensure your smile is safe from decay and gum disease. 

10. Is Alcohol-Free Mouthwash as Effective as Regular Rinses? 

Yes, alcohol-free rinses can be as effective as other rinses on the market. It may also be a good switch for dental patients who struggle with dry mouth. Using alcohol-free products can help protect saliva production and prevent you from experiencing the burning sensation many associate with the use of these rinses. 

Achieve Your Best Oral Health with Our Salt Lake Team

Whether you’re just starting to incorporate mouthwash into your routine or using one for years, they can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. However, if you want to support the work you’re doing at home, it is essential that you work with a reliable dental team. Individuals looking for a dental team in the Salt Lake City area should turn to our team at Avenues Dentistry.

For decades, we’ve provided the most reliable dental care to patients across the Wasatch Front. From helping patients recover from oral decay to addressing cosmetic problems, we have experience with it all. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our expert team or have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Investing in Invisalign is a great way to begin changing the appearance of your smile without the need for bulky metal bands and brackets. However, because they are nearly invisible and not as fragile as traditional braces, it isn’t uncommon for patients to forget to care for them properly. While you might not think this is a problem, failing to care for your Invisalign can harm your investment in a straighter smile.

If you are about to embark on a journey toward a straighter smile and want to learn more about how to care for your Invisalign, keep reading. 

1. Remove Them Before Eating

One essential step in caring for your Invisalign is remembering to remove them before you eat. While your aligners are strong enough to withstand talking, they may crack, chip, and break if you wear them while eating. Additionally, the plastic of your clear aligner is susceptible to staining, which can make it more visible than you are comfortable with. If you want to avoid this damage to the aligner, it’s best to remove them whenever you eat, even if it’s just a quick snack. 

2. Soak Your Aligners Daily

An essential part of caring for your Invisalign includes soaking them in the appropriate cleaning solution every day. Like brushing your teeth in the morning and at night, cleaning your clear aligners is crucial in removing any tough bacteria, plaque, and food particles that may get stuck to the device and lead to cavity development or tooth decay. Not only will soaking your aligners keep them fresh, ensuring fresh breath and a healthy smile, but it will also help you prevent any possible staining. 

3. Avoid Using Non-Approved Cleaning Solutions

When you clean your Invisalign, you might consider using whatever cleaning solution you have available. While this might be the less expensive option, it isn’t the best solution for protecting this investment. If you use an unverified cleaning solution for your aligners, it may stain the plastic. Also, soaps can leave a lingering taste, making it uncomfortable to wear your aligners as prescribed. Instead of using these unverified cleaning solutions, make sure to use Invisalign products to protect your aligners from damage. 

4. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Before Wearing

Even if you weren’t worried about caring for your Invisalign, you would need to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. However, keeping your teeth clean while wearing your aligners is especially important. Once they’re on, your aligners trap bacteria, food particles, plaque, and tartar. Without cleaning your teeth before putting them on, you run the risk of developing cavities or gum disease. Failing to brush your teeth may also leave you with bad breath, making it important that you don’t forget to brush and floss regularly. 

5. Store Them in The Provided Case

While it is recommended that you wear your Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours a day, there may be a few periods where you don’t wear them. If you take them out to eat or brush your teeth, don’t just set them down wherever you’d like. Instead, you should always keep them in the case your dental team provides. By storing your aligners in their case, you reduce your risk of losing them, keep them clean, and protect them from any potential damage. 

6. Make It a Habit of Cleaning Them

As mentioned several times above, cleaning your Invisalign is essential to protect it from damage and staining. If you want to care for them appropriately, it is crucial that you get into a good habit of cleaning them whenever possible. Your trays should be cleaned at least once a day, but ideally, twice daily to ensure they are fresh when you put them in. By getting into the habit of cleaning your aligners, you can trust your teeth are always protected when you’re wearing them. 

7. Rinse Them After Removal

Even if you are only removing your Invisalign for a few moments, it is still essential that you rinse them. When you remove your aligners, they should be rinsed with water to remove any remaining saliva. If left to dry, your saliva may cause a buildup on the trays. This buildup is responsible for plaque and bacteria festering on the trays, which is detrimental to your tooth health. If you want to ensure they are clean, remember to rinse them whenever they’re taken out. 

Adjusting to Your Invisalign

If you are new to Invisalign, adjusting to these aligners might be difficult. However, there are a few things you can do to make adjusting to this orthodontic device much easier, including: 

• Use dental wax if the device irritates the soft tissue in your mouth
• Rinse your mouth with a medicated mouthwash to treat any sores
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate discomfort
• Practice speaking aloud to reduce lisping with the device in
• Use a cold compress to reduce inflammation from your aligners 

Helping You Through the Clear Aligner Process

When you’re ready to start the clear aligner process, it is crucial that you work with an expert dental team. With the help of an expert team, you can trust that you’re making the right choice for your smile. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in the Salt Lake City area, turn to our team at Avenues Dentistry for support.

Since 1962, our team has provided reliable, compassionate, and comprehensive dental services to patients across the Wasatch Front. Whether you want to improve the aesthetics of your smile, address oral ailments, or schedule regular cleanings, we’re here to support you. 

When you’re ready to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact our team for support. 

Reducing your sugar intake is a great way to protect your teeth from decay. However, with so many sugar alternatives on the market, choosing one to incorporate into your routine can be difficult. Xylitol is gaining popularity as a natural sweetener that tastes great and offers significant benefits for oral health. But what exactly is it, and how can it help keep your teeth in top condition? 

In this blog, we’ll explain what it is, its benefits for teeth, and how to incorporate it into your dental routine.

What is Xylitol? 

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in various fruits, vegetables, and some tree bark, including birch. Unlike regular sugar, which can lead to tooth decay, Xylitol is non-fermentable, meaning it doesn’t break down in your mouth and won’t feed harmful oral bacteria. This property makes it the perfect sweetening alternative in products aimed to promote dental health. 

It looks and tastes similar to sugar but has fewer calories and a lower glycemic index, making it suitable for diabetics and those looking to reduce their sugar intake. In recent years, it has become an increasingly popular sugar alternative. While it is great for reducing sugar intake, incorporating it into your dental routine has additional oral health benefits. 

How Does Xylitol Benefit Your Teeth? 

There are several key benefits to incorporating this sugar alternative into your everyday oral health routine, including: 

1. Reduces Your Risk of Cavities

If you’ve struggled with cavities in the past, choosing to incorporate xylitol into your everyday routine may be a great step to take to protect your oral health. Sugar is known for the role it plays in feeding the harmful oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans. This bacteria is responsible for the development of tooth decay, which can lead to cavity development. However, because this sugar alternative doesn’t feed the bacteria in your mouth, you don’t have to worry about it growing and clinging to your teeth, leading to costly oral health treatments. 

2. Promotes Remineralization

Food, drinks, dry mouth, and harmful bacteria in your mouth may be responsible for the demineralization of your teeth. Xylitol can aid in the remineralization process of your teeth, which is crucial for keeping your enamel strong. When enamel begins to weaken, it can lead to sensitive teeth and make them more susceptible to decay. By helping to restore lost minerals to the enamel, this sugar alternative works to strengthen your teeth, making them more resistant to acidic erosion from food and drinks throughout the day. 

3. Maintain Saliva Flow

Saliva is essential for neutralizing harmful acid in the mouth and for maintaining overall oral health. However, some illnesses, medications, alcohol and tobacco use, and medical treatments can decrease saliva production. Xylitol has been shown to stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Increased saliva flow also balances the pH in the mouth, reducing the chances of enamel erosion and creating an environment where harmful bacteria are less likely to thrive.

4. Freshens Breath

Bad breath is often caused by bacteria in the mouth breaking down food particles and releasing foul-smelling compounds. Because xylitol inhibits bacteria growth, it can help combat bad breath, leaving you with a fresher mouth after use. Many people find that using gum or mints that are sweetened with this sugar alternative is an effective way to keep their breath fresh throughout the day. However, if you find that these gums and mints aren’t addressing your bad breath, it may be a sign of other oral health conditions, like gum disease, making it essential to reach out to a dental team for support. 

How to Incorporate Xylitol into Your Dental Routine

Adding this ingredient to your daily routine is simple, and there are several ways to do it. Consider switching to toothpaste or mouthwash with xylitol, as these products can help clean your teeth while delivering their protective benefits. You can also chew gum that uses this sugar alternative after meals, which freshens your breath and helps reduce plaque build-up. Remember to check for products that use it as a main ingredient and look for reputable brands that ensure high-quality sources.

Achieving Better Oral Health in Salt Lake City

Xylitol offers multiple benefits that go beyond its natural sweetness. Reducing cavity-causing bacteria, supporting enamel strength, increasing saliva production, and promoting fresher breath are natural and effective ways to improve your dental health. If you’re looking for a simple way to upgrade your oral hygiene routine, consider trying xylitol.

In addition to incorporating this sugar alternative into your everyday routine, it is essential that you work with a reliable dental health team. If you’re looking for a dental team in Salt Lake City, turn to our Avenues Dentistry team. For years, we’ve provided the most reliable dental treatments to patients across the city. From standard teeth cleanings to cosmetic dentistry and more, our team provides every service you need.

If you would like to schedule a dental cleaning with our team or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today.