Mouthwash

Anti-gingivitis mouthwash, anti-decay, with or without alcohol. Another complicated chapter, so many products that hinder your choice.

Anti-gingivitis mouthwash, anti-decay, with or without alcohol. Another complicated chapter, so many products that hinder your choice. All of them, however, promise to protect your teeth, and gums and give you fresh breath.

How can you know which of all these claims are true and not a publicity stunt? Is it necessary to use mouthwash or is brushing in combination with flossing sufficient?
First let’s separate the mouthwash types into four categories to study them more easily: fluoridated, anti-gingivitis, anti-plaque, and finally those used for aesthetic purposes.

FLUORIDATED

The fluoride assists in preventing decay by strengthening the tooth enamel. Most people, however, do not choose a fluoride mouthwash if they already use a toothpaste that contains this ingredient.

It is usually recommended to people who often have cavities or to those who suffer from dry mouth. Intense dry mouth leads to a change in bacterial balance in the oral cavity, while the increased number of pathogenic bacteria leads to tooth decay, fluoride plays a very important role in combating this problem.

ANTI-PLAQUE FORMATION AND ANTI-GINGIVITIS

Brushing and flossing are the “keys” to good oral hygiene, but in combination with a mouthwash against plaque formation/ gingivitis, your daily care is strengthened. This type of mouthwash operates by neutralizing a different range of bacteria than those focused on fresh breath.

FRESH BREATH

Even though such mouthwashes offer fresh breath, they do not play a major role in the maintenance of your overall oral health. Furthermore, the results last for a very short while, and regular repetition, which is harmful, is considered to be necessary by the person who uses it.

Since you are interested in integrating the use of mouthwash into your daily routine it is very important to know the substances contained and their use.
Below we will analyze two other factors that play a major role in your selection:

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a compound found in a wide variety of oral solutions. It is likely to cause a problem if the use is excessive, it will strongly irritate the oral cavity. It is also dangerous because few people will swallow a small amount of mouthwash, and the substance accumulates in the body, causing problems later in the overall health of the individual. If the product you choose will be used also by children it is essential for it not to contain alcohol.

SENSITIVITY

Specific components of a mouthwash are likely to cause discomfort, especially in people with sensitive gums and teeth. Even for people who do not suffer from this sensitivity, after a dental process, the oral cavity is sensitive enough for a short period, so that a strong feeling of discomfort with specific products might occur. A mouthwash without alcohol and herbal ingredients is the best choice in these cases, these products contain aloe vera and chamomile to desensitize the area.

If choosing the right product for you is more complicated, or if you have a specific problem in your oral cavity that is not mentioned here, seek the advice of your dentist.

Athina Tsiorva

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