Can You Replace Water in Your Water Flosser with Mouthwash?
Posted on 9/7/2020 by Office - Boone DMD
When combined with brushing twice a day and using string floss daily, using a water flosser can enhance a patient's oral health. It's a little-known fact, however, that water is not the only solution that can be used in a water flosser. Though many solutions will damage or destroy a water flosser, some common solutions are both safe for usage and beneficial to the user.
Mouthwashes That Are Safe to Use
Standard mouthwashes are safe for most water flossers as long as the patient rinses the reservoir after each use and uses a 1:1 ratio of warm water and mouthwash. Alcohol-based mouthwashes – though not the best choice due to their effects on beneficial bacteria – are acceptable for water flosser use, though the 1:1 ratio and cleaning the reservoir still apply. Patients with periodontitis can use therapeutic mouth rinses with their water flossers, though the patients will need to get specific instructions from our professionals on how to correctly add the mouth rinse to the water flosser and how to clean the water flosser after the session. Under no circumstances should patients use essential oils, iodine, or saline solutions in their water flossers, as these liquids can stain or damage the water flosser.
Benefits of Adding Mouthwash to Water Flossers
Using standard mouthwash in a water flosser freshens the patient's breath, combats plaque build-up, removes food debris, and prevents cavities. As an added benefit, using fluoridated mouthwash will fortify the teeth's enamel. Water flossing with an alcohol-based mouthwash is effective at neutralizing bacteria – both harmful and beneficial – in the mouth. Patients who use therapeutic mouth rinses with their water flossers can regulate the harmful symptoms of periodontitis in a method other than by swishing.
If you have questions about what solutions are safe to use in your water flosser, call our office today for a consultation. We would love to help you learn how to protect your oral health.
When combined with brushing twice a day and using string floss daily, using a water flosser can enhance a patient's oral health. It's a little-known fact, however, that water is not the only solution that can be used in a water flosser. Though many solutions will damage or destroy a water flosser, some common solutions are both safe for usage and beneficial to the user.