What are mouthwashes?
What are the different types.
Can it solve all our problems?
- Types of Mouthwash
- Instructions for mouthwash use
- The current recommendation on Alcohol-containing mouthwash
There are multiple mouthwashes that have various functions:
Mouthwash can help to reduce plaque & gum disease (gingivitis), when used in addition with brushing & flossing. It should not replace essential brushing & flossing. They can temporarily mask oral malodor (Bad Breath) for a few hours.
(click here to learn more about Bad Breath)
This mouthwash can help also to reduce plaque & gum disease (gingivitis), when used in addition with brushing & flossing. It should not replace essential brushing & flossing. They can temporarily mask oral malodor (Bad Breath) for a few hours. There are some studies that have shown this mouthwash to be more effective than essential oils for plaque control however, it should be limited to 2 week time periods as there is a risk of staining teeth if used longer. It also does not have the nicest taste.
(click here to learn more about gum disease)
Fluoride mouthwash can be helpful in high risk tooth decay (Caries) patients. But should be used in addition to brushing and flossing.
(click here to learn more about decay/caries)
May help some patients with xerostomia (dry mouth feeling).
Offers temporary pain relief which may be used for mouth skin lesions
Contains different amounts of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide which can be used to help with whitening teeth as some can reduce extrinsic staining. These are often not effective as bleach trays.
(click here to learn more about whitening)
Which will talk more about this in the other tab.
It is advised that you talk to your local oral health practitioner before using any of these mouthwashes
Follow the instructions on the mouthwash bottle in terms of the quantity as it varies amongst brands and products. Usually it is around 10-20mls of mouthwash.
It is important to use the mouthwash at different times to your brushing to avoid washing away the toothpaste. Studies have shown that if mouthwash is used immediately after brushing there is a "wash-out" effect on toothpaste with either 1450 or 5000 ppm F. Meaning that you are flushing away the protective fluoride from the toothpaste which can have an negative affect on your decay/caries protection, especially those that are of high risk of developing decay/caries.
Currently there is debate among many researchers, professors and health practitioners regarding whether alcohol-containing mouthwashes may be a contributing factor to oral cancer. There are no clear signs of a link that can give a definitive answer yet but there is a chance. As a result, the current recommendation that these should be avoided until the research allows a common consensus to be made.
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This page provides general information about dental topics. It does not contain all the known facts of this subject and is not intended to replace personal advice from your dentist. If your not sure about anything on this site, contact us or speak to your local oral health practitioner. Make sure you give your local oral health practitioner your complete medical history and dental history.
A selection of the references used:
Araujo MW, Charles CA, Weinstein RB, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect of an essential oil-containing mouthrinse on gingivitis and plaque. J Am Dent Assoc 2015;146(8):610-22.
Van Leeuwen, M., Slot, D. and Van der Weijden, G. (2011), Essential Oils Compared to Chlorhexidine With Respect to Plaque and Parameters of Gingival Inflammation: A Systematic Review. Journal of Periodontology, 82: 174-194. doi:10.1902/jop.2010.100266
Mariotti AJ, Burrell, K.H. Mouthrinses and Dentifrices. 5th ed. Chicago: American Dental Association and Physician's Desk Reference, Inc.; 2009.
Blom T, Slot DE, Quirynen M, Van der Weijden GA. The effect of mouthrinses on oral malodor: a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg 2012;10(3):209-22.
Duckworth, R. M., Maguire, A., Omid, N., Steen, I. N., McCracken, G. I., & Zohoori, F. V. (2009). Effect of rinsing with mouthwashes after brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste on salivary fluoride concentration. Caries Research, 43(5), 391-396.
Mystikos, C., Yoshino, T., Ramberg, P., & Birkhed, D. (2011). Effect of post-brushing mouthrinse solutions on salivary fluoride retention. Swed Dent J, 35(1), 17-24.
La Vecchia, C. (2009). Mouthwash and oral cancer risk: an update. Oral Oncology, 45(3), 198-200.
Mathew, S. T. (2015). Alcohol-containing mouthwash and oral cancer risk: A systematic review. International Journal of Dental and Medical Specialty, 2(3), 21-28.
Rodríguez Sánchez F, Rodríguez Andrés C, Arteagoitia Calvo I. Does Chlorhexidine Prevent Alveolar Osteitis After Third Molar Extractions? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;75(5):901-914. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2017.01.002
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