It’s no surprise to hear the dental benefits of brushing and flossing. These are the most recommended things to do if you wish to keep a healthy mouth with teeth that are in good condition. After all, flossing daily helps to skyrocket your protection against oral health issues like gingivitis.

But if you add mouthwash into the equation, you’re even further ahead of the game. Mouthwash is an extremely effective tool in protecting against tooth decay, gingivitis, as well as promoting healthy teeth and gums.

We’ve prepared the four major benefits you’ll get by including mouthwash in your everyday routine.

Freshens breath.
The most recognized benefit (and admittedly the reason so many of us only use mouthwash) is to freshen our breaths. Mouthwash temporarily reduces bad breath by killing certain bacteria that cause our mouth to smell foul. In addition, most mouthwashes have some sort of minty flavor that replaces that of the bad-smelling bacteria.

Prevents plaque buildup.
Most mouthwashes help to prevent plaque building up between your teeth, on the surfaces of your teeth, and even on your gums. It’s best to use it between the two times you brush a day as a way to bolster your teeth during that period. It should be noted that although mouthwash prevents the buildup of plaque, it doesn’t help to reduce the plaque that already exists on your teeth. So remember to always brush and floss to remove the plaque before it becomes a problem. Prevention does not mean reduction.

Removes food particles.
A lot of people use mouthwash only after they brush. While this isn’t a bad practice, mouthwash can also be used before you brush in order to rinse out any loose particles in your mouth. This will enable you to brush and floss more effectively.

Stops cavities from forming.
By using mouthwash regularly, you help to reduce the chances of cavities coming in. Some mouthwashes contain fluoride that strengthen your enamel, which prevents cavities from forming. But check your mouthwash’s label since not all happen to contain fluoride for this purpose.
By regularly brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, you improve your chances of keeping your mouth free from cavities, gingivitis, and even bad breath. Make sure to talk with your dentist about the importance of mouthwash so that you can find a strategy that works for you. You can even tailor the type of mouthwash you use to your preferences, such as alcoholic mouthwash or nonalcoholic.