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Should children use mouthwash? © Getty Images

Should children use mouthwash?

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The tooth fairy can rest easy, using mouthwash between brushing can be beneficial for children but not necessarily as a post-brushing rinse.

Asked by: Ash Class, Bosmere Primary School, Ipswich

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Research on children aged 6 to 14 has found a large reduction in tooth decay when using a fluoride-based mouthwash.

However, all the trials gave the mouthwash to children in a supervised setting at school, in between teeth brushings. There’s no evidence that a quick rinse at the same time as you brush your teeth provides any extra benefit.

So a rinse during lunchtime could be beneficial, but children are recommended to check with their dentist before using mouthwash.

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Authors

luis villazon
Luis VillazonQ&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.

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