Why It Matters What Mouthwash You Use
Posted on: 18 September 2015
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If you never stopped to read the label on your mouthwash, you may not be aware that they come in different varieties. Along with different colors, flavors, and proclamations, mouthwashes can also serve completely different purposes. How do you know which one is right for you? Here is what you need to know about selecting a mouthwash.
The Two Categories of Mouthwashes
Mouthwashes can fall into one of two categories. There are cosmetic mouthwashes that are designed specifically for freshening up your breath temporarily. They'll get rid of the odor coming from your mouth, but do not do anything to improve your oral health. The remaining mouthwashes fall into the therapeutic category. They have ingredients that are designed to actively reduce bacteria, as well as prevent cavities and plaque.
There are two types of medicinal mouthwashes you can pick from, which are anti-cavity and anti-plaque. The differences between these two is that anti-cavity mouthwashes prevent tooth decay with fluoride. Anti-plaque mouthwashes will prevent plaque buildup, which can become hard tartar and lead to gum disease.
Why Anti-Cavity Mouthwash?
Your dentist may have told you that the enamel on your teeth is weak, and because of that, you are more prone to getting cavities. Some things you can do is drink more water from your faucet the contains fluoride, use fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with an anti-cavity mouthwash.
Fluoride is crucial for strengthening the enamel on your teeth, and will make it difficult for cavities to be created by bacteria. Using mouthwash with fluoride can be a great way to get more fluoride on your teeth if you only have access to bottled drinking water during the day.
Why Anti-Plaque Mouthwash?
Plaque forms on your teeth due to bacteria. If you are improperly brushing your teeth, the plaque will eventually harden and turn into tartar. While your dentist can scrape the tartar off your teeth during regular cleanings, this only gets done once every six months. An anti-plaque mouthwash can help fight that bacteria between dental cleanings.
Unfortunately, mouthwashes that are designed to fight plaque don't contain fluoride. That is because your gums can become irritated when you combine the ingredient used to fight plaque with fluoride.
Now that you know the differences between mouthwashes, you'll pay attention to what kind you buy when at the store. You may be surprised at just how effective they can be when you use the right mouthwash for your oral health needs. For more information, go to http://www.pldduluth.com/.