Which Mouthwash Is Best For You?

There are many benefits that arise from utilizing mouthwash in your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing are necessary for healthy teeth and gums, but mouthwash can be a positive addition to the routine. Now the task is deciding which mouthwash will best suit your needs.

Cavities. We hate them, right? Some people can brag they haven’t had a cavity since they lost all their baby teeth back when they were eleven years old. Then there are the rest of us who panic in the dentist’s chair awaiting the news about how much damage has occurred since our last visit.

As we go about our regular day consuming food and liquids we are demineralizing our teeth. That is, the enamel is getting weakened. In order to fix this we need to remineralize. But if we do not remineralize our teeth to strengthen the weakened enamel, well, get ready for the dentist drill because the next stop is tooth decay city.

Preventing Cavities

The reasons for cavities can vary. Worn fillings or dry mouth, diet or poor brushing habits are just a few reasons why our teeth decay. Whatever the case may be incorporating mouthwash can make the enamel stronger as it fights the damage caused by acidic residue and bacteria in your mouth.

Fluoride, a chemical that is added to drinking water and toothpaste, makes the enamel stronger and fights against the acids and bacteria that build up in your mouth every day. Plus, the liquid mouthwash can swirl and swish through even the tiniest crevices providing a healthy dose of fluoride everywhere it is needed.

Most of the time fluoride is a harmless solution to strengthening your teeth. But too much of it can cause barely noticeable white specks or streaks on the teeth or, in more severe instances, an unwanted brown discoloration. But, usually this is managed with regular oral hygiene or a visit to the dentist to have your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened.

Fighting Bacteria

If your need for mouthwash is to minimize plaque build-up, fight gum disease, or offset halitosis then an anti-bacterial mouthwash is probably the ticket for you. Anti-bacterial mouthwash has more alcohol content than regular mouthwash. Bacteria is the culprit for these ailments as well. Stronger than traditional fluoride mouthwash, anti-bacterial mouthwash will kill 75% of the bacterial in your mouth. However, keep in mind that they contain about 25% more alcohol than other mouthwashes. This can be too abrasive for some people and actually have the reverse effect of helping solve the problem. By creating a dry environment in the mouth anti-bacterial mouthwash can sometimes increase the production of bacteria and thus exacerbating the problem.

Fresh Breath

If you are fortunate enough to be one of those lucky people who doesn’t get many cavities and just want the freshness that comes with mouthwash check out the over the counter (OTC) brands with chlorine or zinc in the ingredients. Chlorine and zinc will freshen your breath but won’t do much else.

Mouthwash for Children

It isn’t recommended that kids under the age of six use adult mouthwash. They still swallow liquids too easily. But if the goal is to instill the habit of using mouthwash with your kids it is best to start them on the mouthwashes especially created for children.