Can Mouthwash Replace Toothbrushing?

The minty fresh feeling you get from using mouthwashes doesn’t mean that your mouth is actually clean.

While ingredients like fluoride do help in preventing cavities, no amount of swishing mouthwash can remove the plaque off your teeth.

Plaque is a coating of bacteria that builds up on your teeth throughout the day and night. It can result in tooth decay, bad breath and gingivitis (bleeding gums) if not cleaned daily. If used alone, neither mouthwash nor toothpaste can effectively neutralize the negative effects of plaque.

Fluoride restores minerals to your teeth that have been lost to the acids produced from foods and plaque.
Fluoride restores minerals to your teeth that have been lost to the acids produced from foods and plaque. Toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth.

It is the accumulation of plaque that causes cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Plaque, the bacterial buildup on the teeth and gums, is very sticky and adheres to the teeth. Mouthwash alone will never be able to remove the plaque. If you still want to use a mouthwash, use an alcohol-free mouthwash with fluoride, but never use it as a replacement for brushing.

As simple as it sounds, the most effective way to prevent conditions like gum disease and tooth decay is to mechanically remove the plaque. And the best way to remove plaque is through regular and efficient brushing and flossing.