Oral mouthwash is a liquid product used to rinse teeth, gums, and mouth, and it usually contains an antiseptic to kill harmful bacteria that can live between teeth and on gums. There are two main types of mouthwash: therapeutic and cosmetic. Therapeutic mouthwashes contain active ingredients that help to control dental issues like tooth decay, plaque, gum disease, and bad breath, while cosmetic mouthwashes temporarily freshen breath and tend to have a better taste but do not contain active ingredients that combat issues like the bacteria that lead to bad breath.
Active ingredients in therapeutic mouthwash include peroxide, fluoride, essential oils, chlorhexidine, and cetylpyridinium chloride. Peroxide has a whitening effect on teeth surfaces, fluoride helps to keep tooth enamel strong and reduces the risk of tooth decay, essential oils help to control the buildup of plaque on teeth surfaces and control the early stage of gum disease, chlorhexidine is used to control gingivitis and prevent plaque buildup, and cetylpyridinium chloride is added to help fight against bacteria that cause bad breath.
Some mouthwash ingredients can form a complex with fluoride ions and reduce a mouthwashs effectiveness, so vigorous rinsing with water may be recommended after brushing and before rinsing if these ingredients are present. Mouthwash usually contains a high volume of alcohol and fluoride, and both of these ingredients shouldnt be ingested in high amounts, especially by children. For this reason, the American Dental Association doesnt recommend mouthwash for children under the age of 6, and adults shouldnt make it a habit of swallowing mouthwash either.
Mouthwash can be used to prevent or stop bad breath, as well as to rinse out plaque. However, some mouthwash ingredients can be erosive, and the erosive potential of some mouthwash ingredients not only depends on their pH but also on their viscosity. Therefore, it is important to use mouthwash safely and properly, following the manufacturers instructions.
