Should I use mouthwash for a long time?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Doctor Phan Dinh Thuy Tien - General Internal Medicine - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Using a mouthwash is the choice of many people to keep the mouth and throat clean and prevent many inflammatory diseases. However, it is necessary to use a throat antiseptic prescribed by a doctor to avoid causing an ecological imbalance of bacteria in the throat.

1. How does a mouthwash work?

There are different types of mouthwashes and mouthwashes available on the market. Specifically:
Mouthwashes are solutions that help take care of teeth with effects such as: Deodorizing, fresh breath, reducing gingivitis, reducing tartar and plaque formation and reducing the risk of tooth decay. tooth decay. In addition, mouthwash can also improve the condition of yellow teeth, effective in whitening teeth. However, this product is not intended to treat serious dental problems. About mouthwash: Throat is the gateway to contact with the outside environment, food and drink. Whenever a sore throat occurs, the doctor usually prescribes the patient to use salt water or a mouthwash. Throat gargle is prepared in the form of a solution, effervescent tablet or powder (mixed with water before use). This drug is used in local bacterial infections of the nose, throat and oral cavity. They have the effect of removing plaque in the mouth, throat and deodorizing bad odors caused by bacteria,... If using salt water to gargle, patients can use 0.9% physiological saline or self salt water. However, when mixing salt water to gargle, you should only mix it lightly (be careful not to mix it too lightly because salt water will have little antiseptic effect, neutralizing pH; do not mix too much salt to avoid damaging the throat mucosa).
MORE: Note when using antibacterial mouthwash

2. What kind of throat rinses are there?

Throat antiseptics used to gargle are divided into 3 groups:
Antibiotics gargle: The most commonly used antibiotic to produce throat rinses is tyrothricin; Antiseptic mouthwash: Givalex, betadine gargle, bicarbonate salt, borate salt,...; pH neutralizing drugs: Physiological saline 0.9%, sodium bicarbonate,... In addition, in the composition of mouthwashes, there are fragrances, some essential oils,...
VIEW MORE: Gargle with salt water properly

3. How long do you use mouthwash for?

3.1 Time each time gargling

When using a gargle, you should gargle more than 2 times a day. With the first 1-2 sips, you should rinse your throat thoroughly, then hold the throat antiseptic for 5-10 minutes and then spit the medicine out. The user absolutely does not swallow the drug.
Some gargles have a shorter shelf life. Specifically, listerine mouthwash should only be left in the mouth for 30 seconds after brushing.
For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, only gargle with a mild saline solution.

3.2 Time to use a course of mouthwash

Currently, many people use mouthwash arbitrarily, not as prescribed. However, according to doctors, mouthwash should be used for less than 10 days (except physiological saline). The long-term use of throat antiseptics can cause ecological imbalance in the bacterial mat layer in the throat. From there, causing a number of diseases such as pharyngitis, sore throat or loss of resistance in the throat, creating conditions for the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, doctors also recommend:
Do not use many types of mouthwash with antiseptic ingredients at the same time without being prescribed and closely monitored by a doctor; Throat rinses can cause many unwanted side effects such as itchy throat and mouth, rash, blistering of the lips,... if not used as directed by a specialist. Therefore, if you experience any abnormal signs, the patient should stop taking the drug and notify the doctor for timely treatment. The doctor may change the type of medicine or the method of treatment; Improper use of throat rinses can cause more severe damage to the mucous membranes of the throat than before; β-lactam antibiotics should only be used when there is a bacterial superinfection in the throat. When using mouthwash, patients should absolutely follow the doctor's instructions, do not use more than the recommended time or dosage. When abnormal signs occur, the drug should be stopped and immediately reported to the doctor.

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