Mouthwash is a solution that often contains antibacterial ingredients. Using mouthwash properly helps clean food particles or dental plaque, reduces the risk of gingivitis and bad breath, and helps eliminate agents that cause oral and throat diseases.
You can use mouthwash once or twice a day or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overuse it because mouthwash containing alcohol or antibacterial agents can cause dry mouth, irritate the throat mucosa and imbalance the natural bacterial flora in the mouth and throat area.
Use about 20-30 ml of mouthwash, gargle for about 30 seconds and then spit out, no need to rinse with water. You should choose the type that suits your body condition. If you have mouth ulcers, dry throat or are sensitive to alcohol, you should choose non-alcoholic mouthwash or 0.9% NaCl physiological saline to avoid irritation when used daily.
Doctor Thinh consulted a patient. Illustration photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
For young children, parents should choose a mouthwash specifically for children and supervise them to avoid swallowing. Recommended for children 6 years and older. When any unusual signs appear, stop using mouthwash.
Using mouthwash correctly helps reduce the risk of dental and ENT diseases, and prevents respiratory diseases. However, this is only a supplementary method, not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing. If you often have sore throats, you should see a doctor to get a diagnosis of the cause and appropriate treatment.