One of the questions patients ask during a general dentistry visit is related to mouthwash usage. Patients sometimes want to know if they need a mouthwash or which is the best option to get. More and more people now use a form of mouthwash daily thanks to its oral health benefits. This article covers the most common mouthwashes available to help you choose.
Common types of mouthwashes include:
The American Dental Association highlights two types of mouthwashes: therapeutic and cosmetic mouthwashes. Cosmetic mouthwashes only make one’s breath fresher and serve no other purpose. Therapeutic mouthwashes include active medicinal elements that may contribute to a healthy oral cavity. The use of cosmetic mouthwashes for freshening the breath is not wrong, but they should never become an alternative to cleaning the teeth. They do not clean plaque from the tooth surfaces like brushing and flossing.
People dealing with gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and those prone to developing cavities can benefit from using antibacterial mouthwashes. Two major options are available for over-the-counter antibacterial mouthwashes: washes with antibacterial essential oils and those whose active ingredient is cetyl peridium chloride (CPC). Research has shown that both options effectively manage gum disease and prevent plaque accumulation on the mouth.
Unlike CPC mouthwashes that are water-based, most dental rinses with essential oils are alcohol-based. The alcohol content can contribute to dry mouth, so patients who suffer from dry mouth would be better off with a water-based mouthwash.
Patients who have a recurrent case of cavities can turn to regular use of fluoride mouth rinses. A fluoride rinse can complement fluoride toothpaste to strengthen the tooth enamel and fight tooth decay. Adults and children can use the rinse.
Those who do not suffer from any oral condition that may need therapeutic mouthwashes can still get a whitening mouthwash. Whitening rinses have the same ingredient found in regular teeth whitening products, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, but in lower concentrations. Although the teeth will not whiten completely after a single-use, consistent use of these rinses may be a better alternative to other whitening solutions.
Patients who battle tooth sensitivity can get some respite from the pain by using this mouthwash. The basis of the mouthwash’s function is the active ingredient that desensitizes the teeth nerves and extra ingredients that create a protective sheet of teeth tubules. The tooth tubules are tiny tunnels that run from the tooth’s surface to the sensitive pulp. The pulp is protected from materials that trigger sensitivity such as hot or cold items with the tubules covered.
The general dentistry professional can prescribe advanced antibacterial mouthwash for patients with advanced gum disease (periodontitis) or other severe oral health issue resulting from oral bacteria. These rinses are usually only available by prescription alone.
When you are not sure of which mouthwash to get, this article can help you decide. For more information, reach out to the general dentistry office.
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