Many people think oral health is all about good brushing and regular dental visits. However, while these are important factors, using a mouthwash like Corsodyl regularly has a bigger role to play than is often imagined.
Sometimes, a mouthwash can be considered a means of freshening up breath before a special occasion, or for use when you have an infection such as gum disease or a mouth ulcer.
However, it is by using it day by day that it can promote better oral health than brushing alone can achieve.
How Much Bacteria Is In Your Mouth?
The fact is that your mouth is one of the most active biomes around, with around 600 types of microbes in there. While not all bacteria are harmful, many of those in your mouth are, with the potential to cause or at least contribute to a range of oral health problems, such as:
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Tooth decay
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Abscesses
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Gingivitis
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Halitosis (bad breath)
To understand the role played by bacteria in worsening oral health is to appreciate the way they combine with failures in (or lack of) brushing to cause major problems.
For example, an abscess can often arise because tooth enamel is damaged and can let bacteria in to infect the root, causing a periapical abscess that can sometimes require root canal surgery to resolve.
Mouthwashes contain active antibacterial ingredients that can deal with a wide range of bacteria and prevent tooth decay and nasty conditions like abscesses and gum disease.
For example, Corsodyl contains chlorhexidine digluconate, which kills the bacteria that cause gingivitis, making it very effective at treating sore and bleeding gums.
However, while mouthwash can be very effective in fighting an established problem, it can also act as a preventative measure when used daily.
If combined with effective brushing and flossing, it can go a long way towards ensuring that your dental visits are just quick check-ups, rather than for lengthy and often painful interventions.