Is Mouthwash Good For You?
It’s easy to think that brushing and flossing every day is enough to keep your oral health in check. But that’s not always the case. A mouthwash could be the missing piece from your daily ritual. So why is mouthwash good for you?
Simple - it reaches the areas where brush bristles and even floss can’t reach! Plaque, the root of all evil in oral health, likes to hide in deep pockets of the mouth and along the gumline. You can loosen stubborn plaque, calm irritated gums, and freshen your breath with the right rinse.
But that’s the thing. Not all mouthwashes are made equal. LIVFRESH can deliver 163% better tartar control, 14% better gum health, and 72% better plaque reduction according to clinical trials. Learn more about what separates our plaque removal mouthwash from the rest below.
What is Mouthwash?
It’s a liquid rinse designed to reach parts of the mouth your toothbrush can’t fully access. It may use ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), essential oils, fluoride, zinc, or activated compounds to help with plaque control, gum comfort, or breath freshness.
Some rinses use alcohol to carry ingredients, while others stay alcohol-free for a gentler feel. We’ll talk about choosing the best mouthwash for plaque later on. But is mouthwash good for you in the first place, or just another gimmick?
Is Mouthwash Good For You?
The short answer is yes. At least, when you use the right formula. It can meaningfully improve plaque control, gum comfort, and overall cleanliness.
When is Mouthwash Helpful?
Mouthwash isn’t only for people with problem spots. Almost anyone can benefit from it, especially these groups:
- People with plaque buildup between teeth: Rinses reach tight spaces where bristles struggle.
- Those with early gum irritation: Many formulas calm swollen or tender areas while you address the root cause.
- Dry-mouth sufferers: Specific rinses prevent bacteria from thriving when saliva is low.
- People with braces, aligners, or dental work: Hardware creates new angles where plaque likes to collect. A rinse provides comprehensive oral care.
- Heavy coffee, tea, or wine drinkers: Mouthwash helps interrupt bacterial activity tied to surface staining.
- Anyone who brushes quickly or unevenly: A 30-second rinse fills in the gaps when technique falls short.
- People prone to morning buildup: Overnight plaque softens easily with a targeted rinse.
Why Some People Are Skeptical of Mouthwash
Maybe you’re still not sold. You’ve heard that mouthwashes can kill good bacteria in the oral microbiome. Or perhaps you’ve had bad experiences with harsh, high-alcohol formulas that burned, dried the mouth, or offered nothing beyond a strong mint taste.
It’s true, some mouthwash formulas have given the product as a whole a bad name. But the reality is newer formulas use gentler carriers, targeted bacteria-fighting ingredients, and plaque-loosening actives that actually improve daily cleaning.
Can Mouthwash Replace Brushing and Flossing?
So is mouthwash good for you? Definitely. Can it replace brushing and flossing? Definitely not!
It’s just another tool in your arsenal. It can loosen buildup, reach tight spots, and support the work your toothbrush and floss are already doing, but it won’t remove the soft debris sitting on the teeth or the plaque that packs between them.
Think of it as the final step that boosts your routine, not a shortcut. You get way better results when all three work together in synergy than relying on any one of them alone, or even just sticking with two of them.
What to Look For in a Mouthwash Formula
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with so many different brands and products on the market. Start by zeroing in on what actually improves oral health, not what only freshens breath. A few things always worth checking:
- Proven actives: CPC, zinc, fluoride, essential oils, or activated compounds that reduce bacteria or loosen plaque. There must be clinical studies supporting the main ingredient.
- Alcohol level: Higher alcohol content can sting and dry the mouth. But alcohol has its place. It’s just that lower levels are better for long-term comfort.
- pH balance: A neutral formula helps avoid enamel erosion. This also helps avoid nuking your oral microbiome (a common reason people avoid mouthwashes).
- Clean labels: Better for sensitive mouths and anyone prone to irritation. Look out for things like SLS, parabens, etc.
- Flavor and mouthfeel: You’ll only use it consistently if it’s comfortable and clean-tasting. And consistency is everything with oral care!
LIVFRESH is the best mouthwash for gum disease and plaque control according to dentists and users alike. That’s because it’s powered by a patented ingredient known as activated edathamil, which works on the chemical bonds that keep plaque attached. It can deliver:
- 163% better tartar control
- 114% better gum health
- 72% better plaque reduction
It’s comfortable for daily use, too, with just 0.1% alcohol. You can learn more about Therabreath vs Listerine or Listerine vs Crest mouthwash in our blog if you’re curious how other options stack up. But LIVFRESH is the Listerine alternative and Therabreath alternative you need for real results you (and your dentist) can see and feel.
How to Use Mouthwash for the Best Results
Using mouthwash the right way makes a noticeable difference in how clean your teeth and gums feel afterward. A few simple habits help you get the most out of any formula:
- Rinse after brushing: Brushing breaks up debris. Rinsing afterward helps clear what your brush left behind.
- Measure the right amount: Use the cap or a small cup so you’re swishing enough liquid to reach every surface.
- Swish for a full 30 seconds: This gives the active ingredients enough contact time to work.
- Reach every corner: Move the rinse around your cheeks, between teeth, and along the gumline.
- Avoid eating or drinking afterward: Give the formula time to settle so you get the full benefit.
Do this twice a day, and you’ll be filling in all the gaps in your oral care routine.
So, Should YOU Use Mouthwash?
In closing, is mouthwash good for you? For sure. It’s worth adding to your daily ritual if you care about cleaner teeth, calmer gums, and fewer areas where plaque settles in. The best mouthwash is one that disrupts buildup, feels comfortable to use, and fits your routine easily.
From our plaque removal toothpaste to mouthwash, everything we make at LIVFRESH is clinically proven to support stronger oral health. Your order is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee, too, so make the upgrade today and see what keeps users coming back for more!
