The Mouth Wash Myth

Think you've outsmarted your aging dentist by using some fancy mouth wash in lieu of flossing? Well, he'll certainly have a good laugh over your weak gums and eroded teeth the next time he sees you! Contrary to common myth, mouth washes do not wash your mouth and certainly do not help create stronger gums like flossing does. Although many, such as Listerine, do help break down plaque, studies have shown that rinsing with plain tap water can be almost as effective. Even if you and your kids really hate flossing, your best family dental plan is to stick with the tried and true brush and floss combination, supplementing it with dental rinses as recommended by your family dentist.