There’s an ever-expanding and bewildering array of mouthwashes on the shelves nowadays, and they all make different claims. Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we receive a lot of enquires about the gargly stuff, so here’s a few things you need to know…

Therapeutic v cosmetic mouthwash

Mouthwashes fall into two categories. Cosmetic mouthwash (which is used solely for the freshening of the breath), and therapeutic mouthwash (which contains ingredients designed to fight oral bacteria).

If you’re just after the former, you don’t really need mouthwash – a stick of sugarless gum will suffice. If you’re after the optimum treatment with your mouthwash, you need to make sure you pick up the latter.

Alcohol

Many cosmetic mouthwashes trumpet the fact that they’re alcohol-free on the packaging, and usually contain astringent salts that will freshen the mouth – but won’t kill germs.

However, the new generation of mouthwashes are beginning to turn away from the hard stuff, as it dries out the mouth and can burn gum and cheek tissue, creating a whole new breeding ground for bacteria.

Antibacterial agents

If you want your mouthwash to put in serious work, this is the sort of element you need to have in your choice of brand. Even better if they contain germicides like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) which fight plaque as well as take down bacteria and combat bad breath.

Fluoride

A no-brainer of an ingredient, to be honest.

When should I use mouthwash?

An easier question to answer would be; ‘When shouldn’t I use mouthwash?’, because if you’re using it directly after brushing your teeth, you won’t get the maximum benefit from either of them.

It’s always best to not rinse your mouth after brushing – either with water or mouthwash – because you want a film of toothpaste on your teeth for as long as possible. Get into the habit of leaving the toothpaste to do its work for a while before reaching for the mouthwash, or – even better – use mouthwash after meals if you haven’t the time to brush.

It’s been a part of the ‘proper’ dental care regime for decades now, and promoted as the one treatment that can get your teeth and breath truly clean. But the reputation of flossing has taken a battering of late with the introduction of interdental brushing – and according to recent studies, certain experts are predicting it may have reached the end of its tape.

A lot of floss about nothing?

Ever since America’s Associated Press conducted a secret survey amongst governmental health and dental experts – and came away with the conclusion that none of them would actually say that flossing had any real benefit – the US federal government quietly dropped its recommendations of the practice in its recent dietary guidelines, which has been there for 37 years.

Should you stop flossing?

Now that the NHS has announced that it may be reviewing its position on the matter, where does that leave us? It bears repeating that, like their modern counterparts, the incorrect and forced use of dental floss can do more harm than good. Poor technique can cause tooth and gum damage, but it can also dislodge bad bacteria, which can cause infection.

However, while interdental brushes have been proven to be more effective in removing food debris in hard-to-reach places, not everyone can use them: those of us with very little gap space between our teeth due to their natural growth (or impacted wisdom teeth) find that even the thinnest interdental brush is too large to fit snugly.

And there’s also the psychological benefit of flossing: not only does flossing shift mouth debris when it’s there, the user actually feels that they have a cleaner mouth after using it, which is important.

Our advice: if you haven’t tried interdental brushes yet, give them a try – they might work better for you. And if they’re not hitting the spot, review and improve upon your flossing technique.

Interdental brushes do exactly what it says on the tin: they’re designed to work between the teeth to remove food debris and plaque that ordinary toothbrushes can’t get to.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we tend to think of them as a more precise (and reusable) upgrade of dental floss, and one that can significantly improve gum health. We offer the following advice;

Check the wire

There are cheaper versions on the market, but we recommend brushes with plastic-coated wire, particularly if you have implants. An uncoated brush could scratch the implant and give bacteria somewhere to hide.

One size doesn’t fit all

Just like each tooth is unique, so are the gaps between them. Your first experiences with interdental brushes will take time, as you need to work out which brushes provide the perfect fit for each individual gap.

Don’t push too hard

The ideal brush size is one that provides a snug fit in each gap. If you experience resistance or discomfort when using an interdental brush, stop immediately and try approaching the gap from another angle – and if that’s not working, step down and try a smaller brush that fits.

Mind the gap

Over time, you may find that the brush you’re using in a certain gap doesn’t provide a snug fit any more. No need to panic: this is most likely a good thing. In most cases, it means that the inflammation of the gum is receding. Swap in a brush that fits and carry on.

It’s a supplement, not a replacement

In other words, you’ll still have to use an ordinary toothbrush as part of your daily oral hygiene regime. Also, using interdental brushes should be a daily routine – once or twice a week isn’t good enough.

You can’t fail to notice that thousands of regular smokers are switching from cigarettes to vaping. According to a government review in 2015, the current best estimate is that vaping is 95% less harmful than cigarette smoking, and the use of e-cigarettes is a proven aid to help smokers quit for good.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we’re getting a lot of enquiries from clients who have either already made the switch from smoking to vaping, or are giving it serious thought. So what are the implications for your dental health?

Does vaping stain the teeth?

Whilst being completely aware that the study of vaping and its health implications are still in their infancy, we know that the majority of staining from cigarette smoking is caused by tar.

Vape ‘smoke’ consists of a mixture of Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, flavouring and optional nicotine. Therefore, switching to vaping is far kinder to the colour of your teeth.

However, this doesn’t mean that vaping is completely off the hook when it comes to dental health. Although ex-smokers will experience cosmetic benefits after making the switch, there’s still a chance that they risk long-term gum damage.

Nicotine and oral health

Even though the delivery of nicotine via vaping is much safer than from traditional smoking, that nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor – meaning it reduces the flow of blood around the gum area, denying your gums the oxygen and nutrients they need and destroying tissue.

Nicotine also prevents the mouth from producing sufficient saliva (causing bad breath) and in some cases causes teeth-grinding.

The solution for new vapers is simple: start stepping down on the nicotine intake as soon as possible, with a view to vaping 0% nicotine e-juice as soon as possible.

We’re all more concerned about keeping our teeth as gleaming as possible these days; like most practitioners, CK Dental practice in Bristol provides a teeth-whitening service.

And there are an ever-increasing range of products available over the counter. But is it possible to bypass all that and create a homemade solution?

You’d certainly think that was the case after a cursory glance at the internet, which now contains a welter of articles promoting the use of a bewildering range of recipes and quick-fixes designed to knock the stains from your smile.

So let’s take a look at the ingredients in these ‘hacks’ and see if any of them actually work – and if there are any hidden dangers in using them.

Baking Soda

Certain normal toothpastes use it as an ingredient, so a concentrated dollop of it mixed into a paste has got to be more effective, right? Well, not exactly: high levels of baking soda are highly abrasive when brushed against the teeth, and can play havoc with their enamel coating.

Lemon juice

Great for getting nicotine stains out of your fingers – but an absolute no-no for teeth, due to the high levels of acidity. And combined with baking soda, it’s the worse-case scenario for tooth enamel.

Oil

Be it olive, sesame or sunflower, the practice of oil-pulling (swishing a teaspoon or two in the mouth for 20 minutes) isn’t going to hurt your teeth. But it’s not going to remove the stains, either.

Banana skins

Some people are hugely excited about the properties of banana skins, packed as they are with teeth-whitening potassium, magnesium and manganese, but rubbing them onto the teeth over a period of time doesn’t really do much.

If you’re looking to un-stain your teeth, your first port of call should always be your dentist. The team at the CK Dental practice in Bristol are well-versed in the dos and don’ts of teeth whitening, and can recommend a proper and manageable regime as well as treatment that works.