Mouthwashes

[Colin D]

Do any of them actually do anything or are they just flavoured water? They all make claims to reduce plaque, whiten teeth, make gums healthier, but then I read any that contain alcohol damage the teeth. I wouldn't rely on these alone,
I would still brush at least twice daily and floss, but are there any that would give added benefit?

 

[American De]

Heard that oil pulling is on the lates trends and is even better than mouth-wash and prevents cavities. Yet to do this but seriously has anyone done this?

 

[JJ_8613]

I don't know for sure, but my dentist told me that for some people certain mouth washes are too harsh. I've been told to avoid Listerine personally, but I feel it cleans the mouth really well.

JJ

 

[Colin D]

I heard that about Listerine too. It always seemed to do a good job though. I think I will stick to brushing & flossing.

 

[Dental Care ABC]

You may use water flosser and it is easy to apply for your teeth.

 

[Great Lakes Dental]

Do any of them actually do anything or are they just flavoured water? They all make claims to reduce plaque, whiten teeth, make gums healthier, but then I read any that contain alcohol damage the teeth. I wouldn't rely on these alone,
I would still brush at least twice daily and floss, but are there any that would give added benefit?

Hi Colin,

You're correct to maintain brushing/flossing twice/day, however certain types of Mouthwash can be of assistance as well, depending on the condition of your own oral health. For example, if you're diagnosed with gingivitis.

So let's take a closer look...Most mouthwashes contain four common ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Flavour & Colour. Looking beyond those common ingredients you can group mouthwashes into 4 general categories:
- Antimicrobial (reduces bacteria)
- Fluoride (helps slow & prevent tooth decay)
- Astringent Salts (masks bad breath)
- Odor Neutralizers (chemically inactivates odour causing bacteria)

As mentioned above, people that suffer from gingivitis may benefit from an Antimicrobial and/or Fluoride mouthwash. If on the other hand, you don't suffer from any specific oral health issues, perhaps an Alcohol-Free Fluoride mouthwash can be a good alternative to slow and/or prevent tooth decay.

If your simply looking to treat bad breath, I would recommend instead using a sugar-free chewing gum, preferably sweetened with Xylitol.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Jennifer Thomm
Cosmetic Dentist
Great Lakes Dental
Sarnia, Ontario Canada

 

[Bill Goodwin]

I've heard that there's a cult following that's grown up around the original orange Listerine, it's fabled as a cure all for many different - and not all to do with teeth - ailments.

I've done a bit of Googling but I can't find whether its value lies in it being and antimocrobial etc. mouthwash.

I know that it feels as though it would take paint off a car though.

Has anyone an answer to what it offers and has anyone else heard of its mythical qualities?