Can Mouthwash Replace Brushing?

Most of us have done it -- we’re running late, don’t have time to brush our teeth, and reach for the mouthwash instead of the toothbrush for a quick swish and spit. But can a habit of using mouthwash instead of brushing affect your oral health? My dental office in The Woodlands has the answer.

Not Brushing is… Pretty Gross

Your mouth is exposed to a lot of food, acid, and bacteria throughout the day. If you bypass a brushing, all of it is left there to eat away at tooth enamel. And if it’s left to fester overnight, it can be even worse. Brushing twice and flossing once a day, every day, is the only recommended way to remove the dangerous debris and protect your mouth against decay, cavities, and even gum disease.

What Does Bad Breath Mean?

While there are times when it’s normal to experience bad breath, like following a garlic-packed dinner, eating a dish filled with onions, or after your morning coffee, you should not have bad breath all the time. Persistent bad breath is a clue that something in your mouth isn’t right. Quite often, bad breath indicates gum disease, which is serious and could lead to tooth loss and other whole-body problems including increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and complications with diabetes.  

Mouthwash Is a Short-Term Fix

When mouthwash is used as an attempt to temporarily freshen breath, there is no problem. But brush as soon after as you can. And if breath isn’t fresh after a good brushing, it typically means it’s packed full of bacteria.  Mouthwash doesn’t remove the sticky plaque and bacteria that only a good brushing and flossing can.

The More You Use It, The Worse It Is

Many mouthwashes contain at least some level of alcohol. Alcohol naturally dries your mouth and slows saliva production. Without saliva, bacteria isn’t rinsed away and the mouth becomes a place where it can thrive and eat away at enamel. If you need to use mouthwash as a replacement to brushing -- even though we highly recommend you don’t -- choose one that’s alcohol free and use it sparingly

If you notice chronically bad breath, don’t be embarrassed. My The Woodlands dental office is here to help. We’ll never judge you or lecture you. We will work with you determine the cause of your problem and discuss the best way to resolve it. Don’t put the health of your teeth, or your body, at risk. Give us a call today.

Accepting patients from The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.

What To Know If You Want To Go Vegetarian

A lot of our patients don’t eat meat. There are dozens of completely noble and sound reasons to skip the animal-based proteins, and health benefits, too, like a reduced chance for high blood pressure and cancer! Some people eat vegetarian diets to control their weight.  

But since vegetarians may be at a higher risk for gum disease, if you’re a vegetarian or you’re thinking about it, check in with your The Woodlands dentist about how to protect your oral health next time you’re here.

For the vegetarian newbies, some definitions are in order.

• There are the vegetarians who only eat fish. These are called pescetarians--people who avoid all meat-based proteins except for fish.

• Lacto-ovo vegetarians are the most common sort, these vegetarians consume animal products like cheese, eggs, and yogurt.
• Vegans are vegetarians who also avoid all animal-derived food sources including dairy and eggs, gelatin, etc. Some vegans even avoid honey!

For all types of vegetarians, but vegans especially, it can be difficult to get enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet.

That’s why we recommend taking a few of the following steps:

1. If you or someone you care for is going vegetarian, it would be a good idea to consult with a professional dietician.
2. Eat a diet rich in broccoli and dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collards to get enough calcium. Some products, like orange juice, tofu, soy milk, and cereal are calcium-enriched.
3. Be sure to get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is especially tricky for vegetarians because it naturally occurs primarily in fish. However, many of the products listed above that are fortified with calcium are also fortified with vitamin D.
4. Consider a vitamin D supplement if you don’t have access to fortified groceries like soy milk, certain cereals, and orange juice.

Still Have Questions?

No problem. Come see us next time you’re near by and talk to us about how to protect your oral health if you’re a vegetarian. And remember, while web research is an important starting place, it’s best to work in concert with your health professionals including your The Woodlands dentist, your general practitioner, and any specialists you see to ensure a balanced vegetarian diet.

Welcoming patients from The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.