With the continuous improvement of people's awareness of oral health care, mouthwash is becoming increasingly popular. There are a wide variety of mouthwashes on the market, and if you want to make the most of them, you not only need to use them well, but also choose the right ones! Today, the dentist will provide a detailed introduction to mouthwash related knowledge, helping everyone choose the right mouthwash, use it well, and have a healthy and clean mouth. The two common types of mouthwash can be roughly divided into two categories - health mouthwash and medical mouthwash. Health mouthwash can be purchased in supermarkets, mainly composed of antibacterial agents, aromatic agents, sweeteners, etc. It can remove food residues in the mouth, improve oral odor, and has the effect of refreshing breath. Medical mouthwash can only be purchased in hospitals or pharmacies, which contains certain medicinal ingredients and has different effects depending on the added ingredients, such as anti caries, antibacterial, whitening, etc. During use, the dosage, treatment course, and method of mouthwash should follow the doctor's advice. Do you need mouthwash? Not everyone needs mouthwash to help with daily cleaning. People with oral health only need to brush their teeth in the morning and evening, and use dental floss to clean. Patients with oral mucosal diseases or periodontal diseases, such as oral ulcers, periodontitis, gingivitis, etc., need to use mouthwash prescribed by a doctor that is symptomatic and therapeutic. In addition, mouthwash can also be used for surgical patients to prevent postoperative infections. Remember! Do not blindly follow the trend of using mouthwash. Different groups of people should choose mouthwash that suits themselves, and should not overly rely on health mouthwash. Medicinal mouthwash should be used according to medical advice. If there is a long-term unpleasant odor in the mouth, do not use mouthwash to cover it up. It is important to seek medical attention promptly and consult a doctor's professional opinion to avoid delaying the condition. Some patients use mouthwash frequently every day, and some patients rinse their mouth for a long time every time, thinking that this can better treat the disease. Actually, it's not like that. Medical mouthwash should be used 2 to 4 times a day, with 10 milliliters of mouthwash each time for 30 to 60 seconds of rinsing. Do not use it too much every day or rinse it for too long due to impatience, as this may actually increase the risk of worsening the condition. Mouthwash cannot replace brushing teeth. Patients often ask, "Can I skip the step of brushing teeth if I use mouthwash?" The answer is no. Although mouthwash has a certain cleaning effect on the mouth, it cannot replace brushing teeth. Some medical mouthwashes have antibacterial and bactericidal effects, which can prevent the formation of dental plaque. However, brushing teeth can remove dental plaque on the surface of teeth through physical friction, which mouthwashes cannot achieve. Brushing teeth correctly in the morning and evening is the most effective method for self-care oral health. Mouthwash should not be used for a long time. Whether it is a health mouthwash or a medical mouthwash, it is not recommended to use it every day like toothpaste. Especially for medical mouthwash, it needs to be used under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist and should not be used for a long time. There are some normal flora in our oral cavity. Long term use of mouthwash with antibacterial properties can lead to dysbiosis of the oral flora, and in severe cases, it can also cause oral fungal diseases. Other side effects may also occur, such as staining of oral mucosa, changes in taste, numbness in the mouth and tongue, and pain. Wen/Jiang Yiyang (Beijing Friendship Hospital) (Xinhua News Agency)