Apart from brushing and flossing regularly, rinsing with mouthwash should be part of your daily dental care routine. Dentists recommend using a suitable mouthwash to help eliminate bacteria that cause dental plaque. Brushing and flossing regularly can get rid of most but not all the bacteria that colonizes in our mouths. Therefore, rinsing with mouthwash after brushing and flossing will further eliminate bacteria that form plaque on our teeth.
However, choosing the right mouthwash can be quite challenging. A quick stroll down the oral care aisle in the pharmacy and you are sure to be overwhelmed with the varieties of mouthwash that are available. So, how does one choose a suitable mouthwash?
To answer this question, you first have to determine your needs and preferences. Here are a few tips to help you pick the most suitable mouthwash for your needs:
Use an antibacterial formula that fights bacteria that causes bad breath, plaque and gingivitis if you are concerned about bad breath and gum disease. Most antibacterial mouthwashes that contain thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and menthol can be purchased over-the-counter. They have also earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for effectively reducing gum disease and plaque.
For those who need to ward off gingivitis and periodontitis, then you need a prescription mouthwash that fights bacteria that causes gingivitis. Chlorhexidine is an active ingredient in prescription mouthwashes and has stronger antibacterial properties needed to eliminate gingivitis-causing germs. Chlorhexidine is also known to stain teeth hence being prescription-only to allow monitoring by a dentist.
In Bellevue, WA, Smiles of Bellevue offers family dental care that includes oral health screening, general and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Todd Lawson is the preferred dentist at Smiles of Bellevue. His lifelong passion in dentistry is reflected in his thoughtful approach in providing dental services.
