Let’s Talk About Mouth Washes.

I’m wondering.

How many people out there include using a mouthwash in their oral hygiene regimen?

I never really used any mouthwash before, until recently when I realized I’m so prone to canker sores, or mouth ulcers. I get one or two every month. It’s a pain! Literally.

A friend suggested I should take Bactidol when I have canker sores to hasten the healing. Unknown to most, our mouth basically has a LOT of bacteria (more than our butt, according to said friend, lol) and when we get a wound in our mouth, the bacteria enters the wound and it develops into a mouth ulcer or a canker sore.

True enough, when I started gargling with Bactidol after brushing, in 3 days tops, the canker sore healed! Yay. Usually, it took a week, or even more.

So that got me thinking that maybe I should include a mouth wash in my regimen.

I tried out the brand Oracare since my mom suggested it. So far, after a month of religiously using a mouth wash, I haven’t had a single episode with canker sores.

Yay!

I also noticed that my mouth feels better in the morning. Normally in the mornings, my mouth feels like I’ve been licking stinky socks (not that I wouldn’t know what that *really* feels like…). I guess you can say I also have “better” morning breath. Though I would prefer not to have morning breath at all!

If you do use mouth washes, what brand are you using?

I actually like Oracare because its like minty water and doesn’t sting at all since it’s alcohol-free. I’ve tried other mouth wash brands before, like Listerine and Astring-o-Sol, and I end up spitting them out as soon as I’ve taken a sip to gargle. I don’t even get to gargle at all because they sting so bad! Even when I dilute them with water, they still sting!

I would also like to add flossing to my oral hygiene regimen, but haven’t been successful in doing it regularly. Flossing is SO hard. Especially when you get to the inner teeth!

Lia
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9 responses to “Let’s Talk About Mouth Washes.”

  1. Jomz Avatar
    Jomz

    I have a lengthy (for as long as time will permit) oral hygiene ritual before I sleep, when I wake up and at times, during the day.

    Tongue Scraper (replace every 3 months) – a good 10 scrapes
    Floss (unwaxed so it’s easier on the gums and you experience less bleeding) – a good 5 minutes of this
    Tooth brush (replace pretty often as soon as the blue indicator colours fade, or the brush shows wear
    Listerine – gargle as indicated
    Gargle with Orahex! As indicated on the bottle: 30 seconds and 30 minutes NO food, water, etc. after gargling.

    Guaranteed no morning breath.

    Orahex really does the job for me, it’s kind of pricey I think compared to your general use mouthwash because it’s essentially antiseptic wash for surgeries and dental procedures.

  2. Lia Avatar
    Lia

    I never knew you were such a metro, Jomz 😉

    I’ll check out Orahex. I considered making Bactidol my normal mouthwash, haha but I was thinking it might be bad since it has stronger chemicals?

    I can never get the hang of flossing. So using a waxless one is better? It’s just so hard to get the floss between your teeth when it’s unwaxed so I’ve been buying waxed ones.

    And I also get iffy of the thought of the floss rubbing my gums, haha! 🙂

  3. Hazel Avatar
    Hazel

    I’m prone to canker sores too! Thought I was the only one. 😛

    I read somewhere the flouride-based toothpastes were also bad for people prone to mouth sores, so I switched to Sensodyne.

    I use Lander mouthwash (cheaper :P). If I do get sores, I gargle with Betadine twice a day (Bactidol works more for sore throat in my case). Betadine dulls the pain and heals the wound much faster.

    I don’t floss either. 😛

  4. Lia Avatar
    Lia

    I’m using Sensodyne, too! 🙂 Though last month I had to use Colgate since that was the only toothpaste available. Kept forgetting to get toothpaste when we go grocery.

    Hmm, which reminds me, I need to change toothbrush. I’m using Dentiste, haha 🙂

  5. Bea Avatar
    Bea

    This is actually my favorite mouth wash because it doesn’t sting like hell. And it’s better to use mouthwash than to brush 6 times a day (my dentist scolded me for being gigil while brushing my teeth because my teeth started to wear out).

  6. Lia Avatar
    Lia

    Haha, how long do you usually brush your teeth? Naku, me also sometimes I get gigil.

  7. jonna Avatar
    jonna

    i was just thinking of starting to use one (as in mga 5 mins. ago) while brushing my teeth then i chance upon your blog (senyales ata..hahahha) . first thing in the morning i should get one from nearby mercury. lucky me for i seldom experience having a canker sore and think, it should be part of my oral hygiene regimen.it was good i come across your blog. 🙂

  8. irene Avatar
    irene

    On one occurrence, I almost had a mouth sore that could break into ulcer but never happened, it healed fast because I used that time as toothpaste a herbal toothpaste, its called Naturacentials herbal toothpaste (has ingredients of Bee Propolis, Piper Betel Extract, Tea Tree Oil, Myrrh Extract, Aloe Vera Extract).

    I was actually amazed because usually when I have mouth sores, it last long 4-5 days and it hurts, like right now I have 2 and almost another one that would sprout and unfortunately I am not using the herbal toothpaste cause I ran out and had to buy a local brand at the ‘tindahan’.

    So I have to endure the pain until I buy the herbal toothpaste and when I do, I’ll dab it like ointment.

    Prevention is better than cure. So if you know that you are about to have mouth sores, try to keep your mouth (gums and teeth) clean, avoid hot/spicy foods as it may irritate your gums, drink lots of water too.

    If you have the herbal toothpaste (which I recommend), after you brush your teeth with the Naturacential, squeeze a pea-size amount and put it on the infected area for some minutes.

    Continue with daily regimen of your own mouth care like brushing 3 times, flossing and mouth wash. But remember colgate and close-up is not actually good for your teeth, according to some study. Sensodyne is specifically for sensitive teeth, and mouth wash is a bit stingy (bactidol, listerene, etc) in which I seldom use mouth wash.

    So if your looking for something that doesn’t cost much with the same effect as keeping your gums and teeth healthy, and no morning breaths, try Naturacentials herbal toothpaste.

    🙂

  9. jean Avatar
    jean

    Hi, may I ask where you bought your orahex mouthwash? My dentist told me it’s better than what Im currently using which is Bactidol, Thank you! 🙂

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