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Dentistry
Good oral hygiene is obviously essential for good oral health, but a question we get asked a lot is should I use a daily mouthwash?
No, is the simple answer unless it has been prescribed for a short period, usually 7-14 days by your dentist or hygienist, but daily use of an over the counter (OTC) mouthwash is not necessary and can be damaging to your health. The only exception to this is that using a regular fluoride mouthwash when wearing fixed braces if advised by an orthodontist may be beneficial but only for the duration that the braces are on your teeth.
It is very important to remove the plaque from every surface of your teeth every day, the best way to do this is mechanical removal. This means using a toothbrush, electric or manual, an interdental brush or floss. Just rinsing with a mouthwash does not remove all the plaque, despite the claims manufacturers will make. Using a daily OTC mouthwash may result in too much reliance on the mouthwash to do the job a toothbrush or interdental brush should be doing.
This is a bit more complicated but here is a bit of background. In order to keep your blood vessels flexible, you need a substance called Nitric Oxide. This is made by the body in two ways, the first is by the lining of your blood vessels, but as you age this process becomes less efficient, you lose the ability to make Nitric Oxide by 10% each decade over 40. The other pathway by which Nitric Oxide is produced is through your salivary glands in conjunction with the good bacteria in your mouth. If you use a daily OTC mouthwash that gets rid of 99.99% of the bacteria in your mouth, not only are you getting rid of the bad bacteria but also the good ones too. Your mouth needs a healthy microbiome to function correctly. Luckily, the oral microbiome will re-establish itself within 4-5 days of stopping using an OTC mouthwash.
If your blood vessels become less flexible, your heart has to work harder and your blood pressure can increase. If you have high blood pressure and you are using a daily OTC mouthwash that was not prescribed by a dentist or hygienist, you might want to consider stop using it, your heart will thank you.
There’s nothing more meaningful to us than hearing how someone felt in our care.
This testimonial was recently shared by a patient of Richard’s, and it captures exactly what we strive for every day — time, understanding, and dentistry delivered with compassion and respect.
Thank you for trusting us, and for taking the time to share your experience. It truly means more than words. 🤍
At Evolve Dentistry, every patient, every visit, every conversation matters.
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🪥 Simple steps for a healthier smile 🪥
In this video, Jessica shares her top tips on how to improve your oral hygiene at home. From brushing and interdental cleaning to small daily habits that make a big difference, she explains how to keep your teeth and gums healthy between visits to the practice.
A few simple changes can go a long way.
📞 Speak to reception if you’d like personalised advice or support.
Looking ahead with excitement ✨
New goals, fresh opportunities and plenty to look forward to — here’s what our team is most excited about in 2026. We can’t wait to bring you along for what’s next 🤍
Reflecting on a year we’re incredibly proud of ✨
From personal milestones to team wins, here’s what 2025 has meant to our Evolve team. Growth, gratitude and plenty of reasons to smile — we can’t wait to see what the next year brings 🤍
✨ Finance made simple ✨
In this video, Julie answers one of our most frequently asked questions: what finance options are available at Evolve?
From spreading the cost of treatment to finding a plan that works for your budget, Julie explains the options clearly and simply – so you can make an informed decision without any pressure.
If you’ve been putting off treatment because of cost, this one’s for you. 💙
📩 Get in touch with reception if you’d like to talk through your options.
