I get what you mean—some of those mouthwashes are crazy expensive, and I’ve always wondered if they’re just a placebo for people who want to feel like they’re doing more. I did ask my hygienist once, and she said unless you’ve got a specific gum infection or you’re recovering from a deep cleaning, most people don’t really need those antibacterial rinses. If you’re brushing well and flossing daily, that’s already taking care of 90% of the problem. Sometimes I think dentists push products because they know most folks slack off at home... but honestly, nothing beats the basics.
That’s pretty much what I’ve heard too—my hygienist said if you’re brushing and flossing right, that’s most of the battle. I used to buy those fancy rinses thinking they’d magically fix my gums, but honestly, I didn’t notice any difference except for a lighter wallet. I get why dentists recommend them sometimes though… I guess they’re just trying to cover all their bases, especially if they think people might not be as thorough at home.
I had a scare with gingivitis a couple years ago and went down the rabbit hole of mouthwashes, gels, you name it. In the end, it was just getting consistent with flossing and not skipping nights that turned things around. You’re spot on about the basics—no rinse is gonna make up for lazy brushing. Sometimes I feel like we’re all just looking for shortcuts, but there really aren’t any when it comes to this stuff.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about those rinses. I tried a few “antibacterial” ones after my dentist suggested them, but honestly, I think they’re just a backup if you’re not brushing or flossing well enough. Once I got strict about nightly flossing, my gums stopped bleeding and everything just felt… better. I do think dentists sometimes default to prescriptions or rinses because it’s the “safe” option, but nothing beats being consistent with the basics. I wish I’d realized that sooner instead of spending so much on extra stuff.
I do think dentists sometimes default to prescriptions or rinses because it’s the “safe” option, but nothing beats being consistent with the basics.
Honestly, that's pretty accurate. We get nervous about missing something serious, so rinses or antibiotics feel like a safety net. But yeah, daily flossing and brushing matter way more in the long run. Sometimes I worry patients get tired of hearing that, but it's the truth...
That’s reassuring to hear, honestly. I’ve got a kid who’s had some gum irritation off and on, and every time we visit, it’s either a rinse or a “just keep brushing and flossing.” I get that they’re trying to cover their bases—especially with kids, because you never want to risk it turning into something bigger—but sometimes it does feel like the basics get brushed aside for a quick fix.
I totally get what you’re saying about patients getting tired of the same advice. But as a parent, I’d rather hear “keep at the brushing and flossing” a hundred times than have things escalate. It’s easy to want a magic solution, especially when you’re worried about your kid, but the basics really do seem to make the biggest difference. It’s just hard to be patient when you want them to feel better right away.
Anyway, appreciate the honesty. Makes me feel a bit less paranoid that I’m missing something or not doing enough.
