Which mouthwash is best is a question that we've heard probably hundreds of times here at Healthy Smiles. Over the years, people have heard and read all sorts of things about mouthwash, and all that information has led to many people not knowing what mouthwash to choose. Today, we're talking about mouthwashes so you know which one to use.
When we talk about the best mouthwash, most people think of the best brand, but we think of the best kind. Meaning, which mouthwash formulation is the best, not which brand name is the best. There are some things to consider when choosing a mouthwash. Just like choosing a toothbrush or choosing toothpaste, both of which we've talked about before, choosing your mouthwash has some important factors to take into consideration.
There was a time when it was considered common knowledge that mouthwash with alcohol was the superior choice for killing bacteria in the mouth. However, recent studies have begun to show that this isn't the case. In fact, they're showing that mouthwash containing alcohol has no real measurable reduction of oral bacterial load over alcohol-free mouthwash. In addition the alcohol in mouthwash can burn the gums, and the mouthwash itself can lead to staining of the teeth sometimes.
In addition to these factors, alcohol mouthwash can dry out the mouth. Conversely alcohol-free mouthwash doesn't inhibit the production of saliva, which helps the body naturally flush bacteria out of the oral cavity.
Fluoride is an important component to good oral health. There's a reason why we have our patients rinse with fluoride at every cleaning. It's incredibly good for the teeth, helping to keep the enamel strong and maintain that protective barrier. We recommend choosing a mouthwash with added fluoride to help keep the teeth strong while killing bacteria in the mouth.
Okay, we know we said it was all about the ingredients and not the brand, but we can't give you an article on the best mouthwash and not include our most recommended one - ACT. This mouthwash is alcohol-free and contains fluoride along with its antibacterial agents. It effectively kills bacteria and helps keep the teeth strong without burning the gums or staining the teeth. It's the one our dentist uses, and it's the one we recommend.
Although we recommend ACT, you may not like it. That's okay. Look for any mouthwash that is free of alcohol and has fluoride, so you can keep both your teeth and your gums healthy. Remember, mouthwash is an important part of good oral care. We love our patients, but we believe that part of being the best Staten Island dentist is keeping them out of the office! So choose your oral care products wisely, and hopefully, we'll only see you every six months!
