Do you use mouthwash after you brushed your teeth?

I’m pretty sure that a lot of people do use mouthwash after brushed their teeth. This is because by using mouthwash, it can get to the areas you cannot reach with a tooth brush. It will also kill all the germs that you have not killed with toothpaste. One other thing mouthwash does is freshens your breath so you don't get embarrassed by the odor left in your mouth.

But, does the ingredients in the mouthwash good for our mouth??

                                                       

These are the ingredients that used to make mouthwash:

•             Thymol

•             Methyl salicylate

•             Menthol

•             Benzalkonium chloride

•             Methylparaben

•             Hydrogen peroxide

•             Domiphen bromide

•             Eucalyptol

•             Hexetidine

•             Chlorhexidine gluconate

Now, we are going to talk about chlorhexidine gluconate.

Chlorhexidine gluconate is a chemical antiseptic  used to kill microbes. It is a germicidal mouthwash that reduces bacteria in the mouth. Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is used to treat gingivitis such as: swelling, redness and bleeding gums. It is effective on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although it is less effective with some Gram-negative bacteria. Chlorhexidine gluconate has both bactericidal and bacteriostatic mechanisms of action that will be disrupted by membrane. It also can use to against fungi and enveloped viruses.

Chlorhexidine gluconate is harmful in high concentrations. But this chemical is found less concentration in mouthwash and contact lens solutions. In the mouthwash, chlorhexidine gluconate is used as small quantities and it can act as a preservative. It also can reduce dental plaque and oral bacteria It has been shown to have an immediate bactericidal action and a prolonged bacteriostatic action due to adsorption onto the pellicle-coated enamel surface. There are oral pathologic conditions in which the maintenance of oral hygiene with the twice-daily use with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate solution in which a salt of chlorhexidine and gluconic acid has been dissolved is required for healing and regeneration of the oral tissues. These conditions included gingivitis,periodontitis, dental traumas  such as subluxation, oral cysts, and after wisdom tooth extraction.

Although chlorhexidine gluconate has it uses for our mouth, but does it 100% safe for body?

In UK, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a patient safety alert on the risk of anaphylactic reactions from the use of medical devices and medicinal products containing chlorhexidine gluconate. Chlorhexidine gluconate has a lot of side effect if we continue using it. It can cause stains on teeth, tongue, and gingiva, also on silicate and resin restorations. Chlorhexidine can also alter our taste sensation. The long period use of chlorhexidine gluconate will cause brownish discoloration of teeth and tongue. This is due to the fact that the disintegration of bacterial membranes leads to the denaturation of bacterial proteins.. At the same time, disulfide functions are reduced to thiol functions that form dark complexes with iron (III) ions found in saliva. Glucose and fructose that dissolved in saliva will react with amine functions of bacterial proteins and cause discolorations. There are also other side effect of chlorhexidine gluconate which are: inflammation of the salivary glands, inflammation of skin caused by an allergy, allergic reaction, giant hives, canker sore,mouth irritation, painful, red or swollen tongue and sore tongue.

From here, we learned that using mouthwash for long period can cause side effects to mouth. We must get medical help if we have any of the signs.  We should decrease the period of using mouthwash.