What Dentists Say About Mouth Rinse

Choosing a mouth rinse may not be as simple as going to the local drug store and buying one in the flavor you like best. Most dentists have a strong opinion about mouth rinses and which ones are the best for you.

First, you need to understand that you have three basic mouth rinse types to choose from: those that contain fluoride, those that fight gingivitis and plaque, and those that are purely cosmetic in nature. When purchasing a mouth rinse, make sure you know what you are buying and how it will help or not help you.

Some dentists recommend a mouth rinse containing fluoride. These help strengthen the enamel on your teeth, which cuts down on the risk of tooth decay. However, those who drink city water, which has fluoride in it, and use a fluoridated toothpaste may get enough fluoride without using a mouth rinse containing the substance. The patients who usually need this type of mouth rinse are those with abnormal dryness of mouth or a strong history of cavities.

Some mouth rinses are purely cosmetic, used to simply freshen the breath. These often work by killing a little bit of the bacteria in your mouth that cause problems with your breath. However, this effect is not long term, and the bacteria will grow back. This will make your bad breath return, and it also means that the mouth rinse has no long-term effect on your oral health. These can be nice to use, however, when you don't have time to brush but need to freshen your breath quickly.

Dentists usually recommend an anti-plaque or anti-gingivitis mouth rinse for adults to use in combination with a good brushing and flossing routine. These will kill the damaging bacteria that are missed by your brushing and flossing efforts. The best mouth rinses to choose are those that have the American Dental Association seal of approval. This means that the claims they make to how much bacteria the mouth wash kills have been validated by a scientific study. These mouth rinses will freshen breath, but they will also eliminate the bacteria that can cause plaque or, eventually, gingivitis.

Some patients with severe problems can get even stronger mouth rinses by prescription from their dentists. These may fight advanced oral disease or keep down inflammation of the gums.

If you are not currently using a mouth rinse, you may want to ask your dentist at your next appointment about whether or not using one would be a good idea. After seeing the condition of your teeth, your dentist will be able to recommend one or determine if your brushing and flossing efforts alone are successfully ridding your mouth of the damaging bacteria and tartar that can lead to disease. 

Remember, dentists have the same goal as you do, and that is to help you keep your teeth right where they belong: in your mouth. If your dentist feels you should use a mouth rinse, take his advice. With the new milder flavors on the market today, you can easily find one that you can tolerate, even if you have sensitive taste buds.