Children are exposed to a variety of images through the behavior of those they live with to things they see on television and this can lead to imitated behaviors. So when our children see us rinsing our mouths with the fun colorful liquid in the bathroom, they often want to use it too! So, naturally, we frequently get the question from parents in our office – “is mouthwash good/safe for kids?” Our answer is, “it depends.”
Swish and spit mastery
Age isn’t the issue. Younger kids can benefit from the antibacterial properties of mouthwash, so long as the child has mastered the technique of “swishing-and-spitting.” Watch your child when he/she brushes. How does he/she rinse and spit? “We don’t want your child to swallow a mouthful of mouthwash,” says Dr. Curt. “So always supervise and make sure they know how to spit. It is a great idea to have them practice with water until they can do it repeatedly.”
Not all mouthwashes are created equally
Your teenager may be using mouthwash he/she likes for fresh breath and this may contain alcohol for better antimicrobial control. However, that mouthrinse will often be referred to as “too spicy” by younger children and should never be used in youngsters that haven’t mastered the swish and spit technique or any child with orthodontic appliances in their mouth as that may lead to increased incidence of mouth irritation or sores.
Fluoride mouthwash for kids may also have different instructions than regular mouthwash. Always follow those instructions, like not eating, drinking or rinsing after. “It’s best to use fluoride mouthwash before bedtime when the mouth is most likely to dry out and become more at risk for cavity formation,” says Dr. Curt. “When used before bedtime, that provides 8 or more hours of contact between the teeth and the mouthwash active ingredients to help strengthen teeth against cavity formation.”
Mouthwash shouldn’t replace brushing and flossing.
Some kids trick their parents by saying they’ve brushed but actually only swish mouthwash. “Kids with orthodontic treatments can especially find brushing and flossing to be a time-consuming, complicated chore,” says Dr. AJ. “That’s understandable. But encourage them to keep brushing and flossing. Mouthwash is an supplement to dental care, not an alternative.”
The benefits of mouthwash
Mouthwash reaches between gums or orthodontic appliances and thoroughly cleans your child’s teeth, cheeks, tongue and gums. Kids who had been ill should replace their toothbrush and use mouthwash to help rinse their mouth and throat of any lingering bacteria.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
