Do most people need a mouthwash?
Most people do not need mouthwash. Healthdirect says some people like a rinse to freshen their mouth and breath, but most people do not need one. Speak with your dental practitioner about the risks and benefits of using mouthwash regularly (healthdirect).
Mouthwash is a liquid you swish around the mouth. It is usually optional. It does not replace brushing or cleaning between the teeth. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, a rinse is an extra step some adults choose, or something a dentist may suggest after an examination.
What should you do before adding a rinse?
Brushing and cleaning between the teeth come first. Healthdirect advises brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, and flossing at least once a day (healthdirect). A toothbrush will not reach between the teeth. Daily flossing helps remove plaque from those spaces.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria on teeth. See how to floss properly and electric versus manual toothbrushes. The brush you use does not clean between the teeth.
After brushing, spit out the toothpaste and do not follow it with water. Healthdirect says this gives the fluoride more time on the teeth (healthdirect). If you use a mouthwash, ask your dentist whether to use it at another time of day.
How do fluoride, antibacterial and freshening rinses differ?
Not all mouthwashes do the same job. AMK Dental Clinic does not endorse brands. Read the label, and ask your dentist or a pharmacist if you are unsure which group a bottle sits in.
A fluoride mouthwash is a rinse that contains fluoride, a mineral the Australian Dental Association notes is added to tap water, toothpaste, mouthwash and some other dental products to help protect teeth from decay (teeth.org.au). Fluoride is not in every bottle.
An antibacterial (antiseptic) rinse is made to act on bacteria. For bad breath linked to bacteria, Healthdirect says a mouthwash may help, and names chlorhexidine, zinc and peppermint as ingredients to ask a dentist or pharmacist about (healthdirect). A freshening rinse is mainly for taste. Healthdirect notes that some people use mouthwash to freshen the mouth, and that most people do not need one (healthdirect).
| Rinse type | What it is for | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | Adds fluoride, which the ADA links with protection against decay | Does not replace toothpaste or cleaning between teeth; not in every bottle |
| Antibacterial (antiseptic) | Sometimes discussed when breath problems are linked to bacteria | Does not clear every microbe; not a daily product for most people |
| Cosmetic / freshening | Flavour and a fresher feeling for a while | Does not fix breath that does not go away |
Does it matter if a rinse contains alcohol?
Some mouthwashes contain alcohol and some do not. Alcohol can make a rinse feel harsh. Cancer Australia, writing for people with mouth sores, says not to use commercial mouthwashes that contain alcohol without asking a doctor first, because they can irritate the mouth (Cancer Australia).
If a rinse stings or leaves your mouth dry, stop and mention it at your next visit. An alcohol-free rinse may feel more comfortable for some people. That is a comfort point only, not a claim that one formula prevents decay or gum problems.
When might a dentist suggest a particular rinse?
A dentist may suggest a specific rinse after looking at your teeth and gums. That is not a product everyone should use. Healthdirect says most people do not need mouthwash, and that regular use should be discussed with your dental practitioner, including the risks and benefits (healthdirect).
It may come up if breath does not settle with brushing, cleaning between the teeth and drinking water. Care depends on the cause, and may include a professional clean and certain mouthwashes (healthdirect). A rinse alone is not an assessment. Extra fluoride is another reason a dentist may mention a fluoride rinse (teeth.org.au).
Some people are asked not to use an antiseptic rinse. Healthdirect advises people trying to prevent oral thrush to avoid antiseptic mouthwashes, because they can change the balance of bacteria and allow Candida, a fungus, to grow (healthdirect). If a rinse is suggested, ask what it is for and how long to use it. This page cannot tell you which rinse is right for you.
Which mouthwash claims are overstated?
Mouthwash does not replace a toothbrush or floss. Healthdirect notes that a toothbrush misses the spaces between teeth, and that flossing at least once a day helps remove plaque there (healthdirect). Swishing does not scrape plaque off the tooth the way brushing and interdental cleaning do.
No rinse clears every germ in the mouth. Claims that a mouthwash “kills all germs” overstate what these products can do. Healthdirect does not advise antiseptic mouthwashes when the aim is to prevent oral thrush, because they can disturb the mix of bacteria (healthdirect).
Bleeding gums, breath that does not settle, or a painful tooth need an examination. See the benefits of regular dental check-ups.
How does a check-up fit with home care?
A check-up lets your dentist look for problems you may not feel, and decide whether a rinse belongs in your routine. Healthdirect recommends a visit every six to twelve months, or as often as your practitioner advises (healthdirect).
At a check-up and clean, your dentist can review home cleaning and discuss rinses without promoting a brand. If further treatment is recommended, you receive an itemised written estimate before anything goes ahead.
This page is general information only. It is not a personal diagnosis or treatment plan. Ask your dentist what is suitable for your teeth and gums.
Booking advice in Mortlake
AMK Dental Clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake NSW 2137. We serve Mortlake and nearby suburbs including Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Concord, Rhodes and North Strathfield.
To ask whether a mouthwash has a place in your routine, book online or call (02) 9739 6525. See opening hours on the Contact page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.
Common questions
Do I need to use mouthwash every day?
Most people do not need to use mouthwash every day. Healthdirect says a rinse is something some people like for fresher breath, but it is not essential for most adults. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, your dentist can discuss whether a rinse has any role for you after an examination. This is general information, not a personal plan.
Can mouthwash replace flossing?
No. Mouthwash does not replace flossing or brushing. A toothbrush cannot reach between the teeth, and a rinse does not remove plaque from those spaces the way floss or an interdental brush can. Healthdirect advises cleaning between your teeth at least once a day. Our flossing guide sets out a careful technique. Ask your dentist at AMK Dental Clinic if another interdental tool would suit your mouth.
Should I use mouthwash straight after brushing?
Healthdirect advises spitting out toothpaste and not rinsing with water afterwards, so fluoride can stay on the teeth longer. If you use a mouthwash, ask your dentist whether to use it at a different time of day. AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake does not endorse a brand or one routine for every adult. Bring the bottle to a check-up if you want the label checked.