Rinse & Repeat: How Protecting Saliva Promotes Oral Hygiene
A crucial component of oral health, saliva plays multiple roles that contribute to the maintenance and protection of your pearly whites. Saliva mainly functions to moisten and protect your oral tissues, clean teeth, and assist with speaking and swallowing, but it also acts as a barrier against plaque formation, keeping your teeth protected from bacteria. Producing saliva is also vital for preventing dry mouth and germs. Human salivary glands produce anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 liters of saliva in a 24-hour period, and as we age that number starts to decrease, potentially leading to difficulty swallowing, tongue swelling, and bad breath. A dry mouth creates an environment where bacteria can thrive, increasing the risk of gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Sleeping can also increase the chances of dry mouth due to low saliva production, which is why you may wake up with bad breath!
Busting Bacteria with Your Brushing Routine
It may seem hard to believe, but brushing your teeth only reaches 25% of the mouth. So how can we make up for the remaining 75%? Incorporating a mouthwash like LISTERINE® Clinical Solutions can help bridge that gap in your oral hygiene routine, killing up to 99% of the germs that remain after brushing. Because mouthwash cleans areas in your mouth that are tricky to reach with a brush, some mouthwashes such as LISTERINE® Clinical Solutions Gum Health, can help reduce plaque growth and decrease the risk of bacteria.
Staying hydrated
Chewing sugar-free gum
Eating a healthy diet
Future You Will Thank You
Now that you know some of the steps you can take to enhance your oral hygiene routine, it is time to put it in practice! When using LISTERINE®, be sure to follow the directions on the bottle so you can achieve the maximum benefits. Research shows that LISTERINE® can reduce bacteria when swished properly. By implementing these habits early on you can reduce bacteria and plaque over time with certain LISTERINE® mouthwashes. Enhancing your brushing routine with mouthwash is the best way to protect your mouth and can help even if you are already experiencing symptoms of early gum disease.
Making these small changes to your routine may help you experience fewer cavities, less plaque, stronger enamel, and fewer germs. And don’t forget: The health of your mouth, gums, and teeth can also often impact your overall health, so brushing, flossing, and swishing twice daily is critical.
Learn more about the functions and benefits of saliva here.
Find out how to make the most of your dental benefits here.
Aetna Dental® members save an additional 20% on select CVS Health® oral health products, including sale items and LISTERINE® products. You can shop for electric toothbrushes, whitening kits and much more. Simply use code AETNA20 at checkout here
