What to look for when choosing a mouth wash - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Mouthwash is great for keeping your breath fresh and smelling great. Combined with other forms of dental hygiene, it can help prevent plaque, cavities and gingivitis. But it may be difficult for you to choose the right mouthwash from the large variety present. I would like to share a few things to look for when choosing a mouthwash.

Fluoride mouthwashes

If you get your drinking water from the council it already contains small amounts of fluoride to promote dental health. Fluoride has been the subject of many debates in the oral health community and it’s effectiveness in decay prevention has been proven. For those who get their fluoride from the mains water, there is no need for additional fluoride mouth rinses. But there are people who have tank water or are cavity-prone, for them it is important to use fluoride mouth rinses to create a protective film over the teeth that helps against the acid attack to keep your teeth strong for the rest of your life.

Alcohol mouthwashes

Alcohol in mouthwashes is meant to clear the mouth of germs and some viral infections. The way it works is by dehydrating the bacteria. However, if you have issues relating to dry mouth, alcohol can exacerbate the problem. For this reason it is better to use an alcohol-free mouthwash. This will free your mouth from the drying effects of the alcohol base. For children also, it is important to use an alcohol-free children’s mouthwash, because they are prone to swallowing it, which may lead to toxic side effects. Another consideration is for those who smoke, it has been found that the prolonged use of an alcohol based mouth rinse in conjunction to smoking may lead to oral cancer.

Antibacterial mouthwashes

Antibacterial mouthwashes have chemicals to help fight gum disease and other infections like chlorhexidine. These mouthwashes are effective against bacteria who are not protected inside the plaque and in the prevention of infections. Their prolonged use can cause staining, which is the reason we would not recommend them for daily use. Also if you are presently suffering from a bacterial infection, you should visit us as soons as possible to diagnose the cause and recommend the right treatment to help reduce your pain and other symptoms.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kaufman or to call today Tooronga Family Dentistry, phone number 98227006, for more information about about oral hygiene and the right mouthwash for you.