There are several reasons why you might want to include mouthwash in your child’s oral hygiene procedures, whether you are looking for a solution to get rid of bad breath or to prevent cavities in children. Mouthwash, however, offers many benefits, and you can use it yourself. However, is mouthwash safe for children?
Mouthwash reflects all the claims of dental care marketing, such as cavity prevention and strong teeth, and mouthwash can look attractive because of its ease of use. However, before incorporating mouthwash into your child’s oral hygiene procedures, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at some of them in the next section which is suggested by Pediatric Dentist Indianapolis IN.
Is Mouthwash Suitable for Children?
Your child’s age and your child’s swallowing abilities and behaviors all play a role in determining whether mouthwash is safe for children. They have to develop swallowing abilities. Kid should not take enough amount of mouthwash because it becomes source of vomiting. Although some manufacturers offer mouthwash for babies, it is best to avoid it in most cases.
Pediatric Dentistry Indianapolis IN recommends that children wait at least six years to use mouthwash. In addition to swallowing problems, fluoride mouthwash for children under the age of six can result in children’s getting too much fluoride at an early age, which can lead to fluorosis.
Instead of using mouthwash like toothpaste, you should spit it out. If your toddler swallow’s toothpaste, wait a while for the mouthwash to be introduced.
It is better to start with water and start practicing with water like they are using mouthwash. This will help them turn it in their mouth and spit it out, as well as show you if they can use the mouthwash safely. If they do well with water, they may be ready to go for a mouthwash.
Mouthwash’s Advantages
There are many advantages to using mouthwash for children once they are mature enough and able to spit it out:
It Assists in The Elimination of Sugar Particles
While nothing can replace brushing twice a day and flushing once a day for teenagers, mouthwash can be a valuable addition to their dental hygiene. It helps to remove remaining food particles and plaque in the mouth.
Child’s Breath Will Be Refreshed by Using a Mouthrinse
Mouthwash can help kids or children with bad breath by removing odors and adding mint (or bubblegum) flavors. Therapeutic mouthwash will remove odor-causing germs and plaque, while cosmetic mouthwash will mask the odor.
It Can Help Strengthen the Teeth of Children and Fight Cavities.
Fluoride mouthwash helps to whiten teeth again and strengthens the enamel to prevent tooth decay in children (unless they are over six years old). If fluoride isn’t your thing, xylitol is another effective chemical to look for in a mouthwash. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar substitute that reduces the formation of dental cavities in children by reducing certain types of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Healthy Gums Are Promoted by Mouthwash
Mouthwash can help keep young gums healthy and prevent gingivitis by removing excess plaque and clearing hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and around the gums.
Obtain Peace of Mind
If your child is still having trouble, switching with a mouthwash can help get rid of the areas they have missed, as well as extra protection against plaque, cavities, and gingivitis. Layers are also provided so that you can breathe a sigh of relief.
Children With Braces
Dental braces create extra space to hide food, plaque, and germs, so children with braces will need to brush and floss more often. Mouthwash will keep their luggage clean.
Little Bit of Pleasure
For kids, switching to mouthwash can be fun, especially when it’s a new feeling. It can motivate children to continue the process of dental hygiene. Even if it is only for a short time, any enthusiasm is good, especially when children are laying the foundation for a lifetime of oral health attitudes.
Mouthwash Effective in Treating Child’s Bad Breath
Mouthwash is ineffective in treating persistent bad breath. Although mouthwash helps mask odors, it is not a substitute for frequent brushing and flossing, and it does not treat the underlying causes of bad breath in children.
Dehydration is a very common cause of bad breath in children, in addition to illnesses or large sores, or food that your child has eaten before. Because saliva kills odor-causing bacteria in the mouth, drinking adequate water allows your mouth to produce enough saliva to perform its antibacterial functions.
Bacteria stick to the tongue and require a strong brush to remove them, so not cleaning their tongue can cause bad breath in children. Rinsing with water or mouthwash alone does not eliminate all the germs that cause bad breath on the tongue and mouth. It doesn’t even remove the food between the teeth, although it can loosen some of it.
Best Mouthwash for Children
Because it helps eliminate germs, alcohol is a popular ingredient in mouthwashes. Our dentists advise us to use an alcohol-free mouthwash for our children. The majority of formulas contain ingredients that are both safe and effective.
Favorite children’s mouthwashes which are given by Kids Dentist Indianapolis IN:
- Listerine Smart Rinse Kids Mouthwash — Listerine produces a fluoride mouthwash for kids that is anti-cavity and alcohol-free. The Children Dental Indianapolis IN has given the product its mark of approval for preventing tooth decay in youngsters. The mixture not only prevents cavities but also destroys bacteria that cause foul breath and colors food particles and debris, allowing children to see what they missed when brushing.
- Mouthwash with Xylitol —The alcohol-free mouth rinse has a bubblegum taste and is safe to swallow. It contains cavity-fighting xylitol and calcium to build enamel.
Mouthwash Useful Hints
- Mouthwash must be out of range of kids when not in use.
- Keep an eye on children under 12 who are using mouthwash to make sure they are not eating it.
- After brushing and flossing your teeth, rotate them in mouthwash for 60 seconds before spitting out.
- Read and follow the instructions on the bottle as some formulas are for use only once a day, while others can be used morning and night.
- Don’t eat anything after using mouthwash.
