adult smiles, using mouthwash for braces

The Most Effective Mouthwash for Braces Care

Mouthwash is an essential part of a good oral hygiene regimen! Gargling with mouthwash daily has a number of health benefits for your teeth and gums.

Mouthwash helps your breath smell fresh, helps remove debris and bacteria from the teeth and gums, and helps prevent a number of common oral conditions, including gum disease.

With so many different mouthwash brands out there, how do you know which one is best for you? Can you use mouthwash with braces? Is there a special mouthwash you have to use with braces?

Your friends here at Spillers Orthodontics have all of the answers for you! Let’s dive into mouthwash and braces.

Can you use mouthwash with braces?

Yes, you can and should! Whether you choose traditional metal braces or advanced self-ligating braces, mouthwash will not damage your brackets or wires. Your braces are made of high-grade stainless steel materials that won’t rust, warp or discolor from using mouthwash.

Use mouthwash as the last part of your oral hygiene routine, at least once daily. Brush your teeth, floss your teeth, then gargle with some mouthwash for 30 seconds to rid any of the remaining plaque, bacteria or debris. Mouthwash also leaves you with fresh breath, so it’s a great way to end your oral hygiene regimen.

What is the best mouthwash for braces?

It’s best to use an alcohol-free, fluoride mouthwash with or without braces.

Though alcohol is used in a number of popular mouth rinses, it can actually do more harm than good. Have you experienced that near unbearable burning sensation when gargling mouthwash? That’s the alcohol! Alcohol is extremely drying/dehydrating and rather harsh on the skin and gums. It’s infamous for worsening common oral conditions, like gingivitis.

  • It’s best to avoid alcohol mouthwash.

Fluoride, on the other hand, is beneficial for your teeth and gum health. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to prevent cavities and reverse early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) by strengthening the protective tooth enamel. When you strengthen the enamel, you give your teeth the best chance at protecting themselves against harmful bacteria and plaque.

  • Fluoride is essential for strengthening your teeth.

So now we know to avoid alcohol and look for fluoride. Let’s explore a few of the best mouthwashes for braces:

  1. Ortho Defense Anticavity Fluoride Rinse
    First up is Colgate Ortho Defense Anticavity Fluoride Rinse. This mouthwash is specially formulated for people undergoing orthodontic treatment, and it checks our criteria boxes: alcohol-free and includes fluoride. Ortho Defense mouthwash is approved by the American Dental Association, helps to remove white spots from the teeth, and strengthens enamel to help prevent cavities. It’s easily one of the best braces mouthwashes available!
  2. ACT Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash
    ACT Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash is another highly-effective mouthwash for patients with braces. It includes 0.05% sodium fluoride, which is the max amount of fluoride available in mouthwash form. This braces mouthwash option is alcohol-free, approved by the ADA, and uses fluoride. ACT Anticavity wash supports the teeth in re-mineralizing the softer spots on the teeth that are more susceptible to damage.
  3. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Mouthwash, Multi-Protection
    Crest Pro-Health Advanced Mouthwash Alcohol Free Multi-Protection also checks all of our criteria boxes. This specialized mouthwash helps to prevent cavities, kills bad breath germs, strengthens the enamel, includes fluoride and is alcohol-free. With a multi-protection formula that kills 99.9% of germs, this mouthwash leaves you with stronger teeth and fresh breath.

Use mouthwash to achieve the best results with braces!

Studies by LISTERINE® show that antibacterial mouthwash can reduce gingivitis by 29.9%! No matter which type of mouthwash you choose to use, it’s important that you commit to rinsing your mouth at least once a day when wearing braces.

You should still use mouthwash if you aren’t undergoing orthodontic treatment, but getting a final antibacterial rinse with braces is essential for keeping your teeth clean, strong, and free of bacteria.

If you have any questions about the best mouthwash for braces, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here to guide you and help you care for your braces so you can experience the greatest possible results.

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Warner Robins or Macon, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.

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