DOES MOUTH WASH WORK?

That depends. There are two kinds of mouth washes, and it’s important to understand the distinction between them if you want to find one that works. These are sometimes called cosmetic and therapeutic, but they might be called masking and antiseptic.

Antiseptic mouth washes (or mouthrinses) are designed to kill harmful mouth bacteria. By reducing the population of bacteria in your mouth, the goal is to reduce the incidence of bad breath and also reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. These mouth washes do work, in combination with good oral hygiene–regular brushing and flossing–to improve your general oral health.

Cosmetic mouth washes contain astringent salts and odor neutralizers that can temporarily mask or inactivate odor-causing compounds. They are designed to make your mouth feel fresher and your breath to smell better, but they are not useful for improving your overall oral health.

Mouth wash can definitely be part of a quality oral care routine. It may even be recommended as an additional treatment by your dentist if you need help controlling periodontal disease. However, you should not start using a mouth wash without talking to your dentist, especially if you are suffering swelling or bleeding gums or loose teeth.

If you are looking to improve your oral hygiene and get rid of bad breath, the best start is an appointment with a dentist. Please contact Chapnick Dental in Barrie, Ontario today for an appointment.