Finding The Best Mouthwash For Your Oral Health

As part of a good oral hygiene routine, a mouthwash can be used to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Such rinses are designed to help further clean the mouth after you brush and floss. As a liquid, it can reach some places that toothpaste cannot.

However mouthwashes alone are not a substitute for proper toothbrushing. If you think using one is a short-cut to healthy teeth and gums (without needing thorough brushing and flossing), think again!

Fluoride mouthwashes are excellent in helping prevent tooth decay. Antiseptic rinses reduce bacteria that causes gum disease and also decay. Some mouthwashes do both jobs. There are also specialized rinses on the market that are the best mouthwash for specific jobs such as reducing sensitivity.

Some Of The Best Mouthwash Brands

Listerine is a top dentist recommended mouthwash. This total care product ticks a lot of boxes in terms of cleaning performance. Fights gum disease and decay. Listerine Antiseptic (not that pictured, is ADA-approved). However, a lot of people find the alcohol content to be too harsh for them, causing a stinging sensation when using. If you can tolerate this, it’s a great rinse. If not, look elsewhere..

BreathRx specialise in anti-bacterial rinses that aim to fight gum disease and bad breath. With a lot of favorable consumer reports, many are happy with the results of this alcohol-free product. Note that it doesn’t contain fluoride so is not designed to fight cavity formation.

Another popular product, this Rembrandt offering is alcohol free and contains fluoride. It is a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, added to fight the plaque bacteria that cause gingivitis. So it seems great, just don’t expect much in terms of whitening your teeth (as the concentrations of peroxide are not sufficient to do much brightening). What is the best whitening mouthwash? – There isn’t one! NO rinse is able to really improve the shade of your teeth. You will need otherwhitener treatments for that!

This ACT restoring rinse is a well-priced product primarily aimed at fighting tooth decay.

Scope is another basic oral rinse aimed at reducing bacterial growth, but it doesn’t contain the fluoride needed to fight decay.

Crest Pro-health is a decent product, in terms of fighting bacteria. Shame it doesn’t include fluoride to make it a better all-rounder.

Biotene is the top dentist recommended mouthwash for those who suffer with dry mouth. Those with this problem are more at risk of oral disease, so using an oral rinse is highly recommended. Also a good product for those with gum diseases.

Corsodyl, pictured, contains chlorhexidine digluconate, a strong antiseptic. Chlorhexidine-containing rinses have been described as the ‘gold-standard’, the best mouthwash for gingivitis, periodontital disease and other gum problems.

Available in the USA as Peridex (amongst other brand names), these rinses are very commonly prescribed by dentists to help with a range of problems.

They are, however, not suitable for long term use (unless otherwise directed) as they can cause staining and disturb taste sensation.

Summary

As you can see, getting the ideal rinse for you depends on your needs:

• Struggling with bad breath – try Breathrx (note that trying to mask halitosis with long-term use of a rinse is not recommended. Get to your dentist for advice)

• At risk of cavities – get any fluoride rinse

• Fighting gum disease – try Chlorhexidine, Listerine or a hydrogen peroxide-containing product

• Have dry mouth – give Biotene a try.

Daily use of an oral rinse is generally recommended as part of your oral hygiene routine. Using one after you brush has many benefits, and for some patients is essential for their oral health. However, even the best mouthwash is not a replacement for proper brushing and flossing properly! It isn’t a short-cut!

#mouthwash