A mouth rinse (also known as a mouthwash or an oral rinse) is more important than you might think. You might have a mouthwash at home – an over-the-counter liquid rinse that you sometimes swish around your mouth, tongue, gums, and teeth – most probably to mask bad breath. There are other types of oral rinses prescribed or recommended by your dentist for a number of reasons. Some mouth rinses are prescribed if you have a high risk of gum inflammation, tooth decay, dry mouth (also known as xerostomia, which is a lack of saliva which could lead to the increased risk of tooth decay) and gum disease. A Wellington dentist might also prescribe a mouth rinse for you to use after periodontal treatments (think root planing or scaling) or oral surgery to help with any discomfort, to reduce the microbial load in your mouth, or to promote healing.
Cosmetic oral mouth rinses
Cosmetic rinses may temporarily control bad breath (halitosis), diminish mouth bacteria, and rinse oral debris away. These rinses often contain whiteners that can help to whiten your teeth. Some cosmetic rinses do not contain alcohol, but many contain 18-25% alcohol. These rinses may also contain zinc chloride, which is an astringent that reduces pores, and also serves to create a protective firm tissue layer between underlying tissue layers in your mouth. Cosmetic rinses also have a flavoring agent to give the mouth rinse a pleasant flavor.
Therapeutic mouth rinses
There are 4 main types of oral rinses:
- Anti-cavity mouthwash – Fluoride is a primary ingredient of this type of mouthwash. Fluoride helps to prevent decay and strengthen teeth. Prescription rinses contain a larger concentration of fluoride. Dr. Sadati might recommend this oral rinse if you wear braces or Invisalign
- Anti-tartar – This therapeutic rinse contains zinc citrate and other ingredients to reduce tartar buildup (the sticky buildup of bacteria and food that may form on teeth
- Anti-gingivitis / Anti-plaque – These rinses may contain chlorhexidine gluconate, a very effective plaque-fighting drug
- Antimicrobial / Antibiotic / Antibacterial – These rinses inhibit bacteria from causing gum disease
Herbal or natural oral rinses
Natural mouthwashes do not contain alcohol, preservatives, dyes, or harsh chemicals. Beneficial herbs are also added, including xylitol, which is a natural sweetener that is very low in calories. Xylitol has been found to help promote oral health as well as reduce tooth decay risk.
People in the Wellington, FL area are invited to contact the Sadati Center for Aesthetic Dentistry for all questions related to cosmetic dentistry and oral mouth rinses. Dr. Sam S. Sadati and his experienced team are renowned not only in Wellington but throughout Florida for their personalized and gentle dental services. They are experts in the field of cosmetic dentistry and would be happy to talk to you about cosmetic dentures, dental implants of all kinds, dental bonding, gum lifting, smile brightening, and full mouth rehabilitation. Dr. Sadati looks forward to meeting with you to discuss all manner of dental services.
