Many people use mouthwash at least once a week as part of their dental care routine.
However, dentists warn that regular use is not necessary for most people, and may have undesirable effects in some cases.
Experts say that the foundation of maintaining oral health is brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, along with cleaning between the teeth and seeing a dentist when needed.
Dr. David Conway, from the School of Dentistry at the University of Glasgow, said: "I do not recommend the routine use of mouthwash at all. It is not necessary as part of general oral hygiene."
Mouthwashes are divided into two main types: therapeutic, which contains active ingredients that target certain mouth and gum problems, and cosmetic, whose role is largely limited to masking bad breath for a short period.
Some scientific concerns focus on the effect of mouthwash on the oral microbiome, which contains billions of bacteria, including some beneficial types. Among these bacteria are those that help convert nitrates found in foods like leafy green vegetables into compounds that produce nitric oxide, which contributes to vasodilation and blood pressure regulation.
Small studies have investigated the effect of certain types of mouthwash on this process. In one study involving 36 healthy adults, using a medicated mouthwash for a week led to changes in the oral microbiome and a decrease in certain bacteria associated with the production of compounds that help regulate blood pressure.
Another study involving 19 volunteers showed a slight increase in blood pressure and a decrease in nitrite levels after seven days of using the rinse. A third trial, involving 15 people with high blood pressure, also recorded an increase in blood pressure after three days of using the rinse.
However, these results are not sufficient to prove that mouthwash raises blood pressure in the general public, especially since the studies were limited in number, and the mouthwashes used contained chlorhexidine, a powerful antiseptic usually used for short periods to treat certain gum and teeth diseases.
Some studies have also raised concerns about products containing alcohol, which can reach up to 27% in some mouthwashes. A study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer found an association between mouthwash use and oral cancer in people who used it more than three times a day. However, this association does not prove that mouthwash directly causes cancer.
Using mouthwash to get rid of bad breath may mask the problem rather than cure it, especially if the odor is persistent.
Dr. Praveen Sharma, a dentist in the UK, said that bad breath may be caused by gum disease, and in this case, "the use of mouthwash is merely an air freshener; it masks the symptom without treating the cause."
This doesn't mean that all types of mouthwash are harmful or that their use is prohibited. There may be cases where a dentist recommends a specific type to treat a particular problem. However, daily use for extended periods, without a clear need, doesn't seem necessary for most people.
Dr. Purnima Kumar, an oral medicine expert at the University of Michigan, says that using mouthwash intermittently, such as once a week or once a month, is unlikely to harm the oral health of most people, but she cautions against using it daily for months or years.
what is your opinion on this news ?do let us know in the comments on tha comment box
if you liked this news article please share on friends & family & don't forget to follow on website & social media
