Did you know that Americans spent $211 Million on mouthwash in 2017?
While mouthwash isn’t the star of your oral care routine at home, it certainly contributes to a healthier, whiter smile. However, not all mouthwashes serve a medical purpose – some are designed simply to enhance the whiteness of your smile or freshen your breath. Others are made to be the complete package, accomplishing all of those tasks and more. Discover the various types of mouthwash and consider which may be worth adding to your routine.
If You Brush and Floss, is Mouthwash Necessary?
Rather than comparing the usefulness of mouthwash with brushing and flossing, it’s better to think of it as a supplement to your oral care routine. While you can have a fresh, healthy smile without it, mouthwash is a useful addition to your oral care routine at home. Plus, mouthwash bottles are made in smaller sizes so they’re perfect for travel or keeping in your purse or office.
Different Types for Different Dental Goals
No two types of mouthwash are created the same, although many of them serve a similar purpose. Whether you prioritize a whitening effect for your smile, minty fresh breath, or cleaning potential, there is a type of mouthwash that is ideal for you.
Main Types of Mouthwash that Can Help Your Smile
Natural Mouthwash
Now more than ever, people are paying close attention to the ingredients they put into their body. Natural mouthwashes are typically free of gluten, fluoride, artificial flavors, and aren’t tested on animals. If those factors are the top priority for you, then there are a wide-range of natural mouthwashes that make various claims about helping your smile.
Example: Nature’s Answer, PerioBrite, Natural Mouthwash Coolmint
Antiseptic Mouthwash
If you use mouthwash for the cleaning power it has on your teeth, then antiseptic may be the perfect type for you. Antiseptic generally means germ-killing, and that’s what you can expect from antiseptic mouthwashes. Often with the use of alcohol, these are the types of mouthwash you can count on to kill the germs that lead to gingivitis and other diseases.
Example: FRESHBURST® LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash
Cosmetic Mouthwash
In the traditional sense, cosmetic is one of the two main types of mouthwash recognized by most dentist, with the other being therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwashes are great for their ability to whiten your teeth and freshen breath. Since they have no real cleaning power in most cases, these mouthwashes are often widely-available and highly-affordable as well.
Example: Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Multi-Care Whitening Mouthwash
Fluoride Mouthwash
Fluoride is a powerful ingredient when it comes to fighting plaque and tooth decay, and a good fluoridated mouthwash can help a lot. Fluoride is an ingredient that helps your teeth through demineralization and remineralization and is added to the water supply of 25 different countries. Start using fluoridated mouthwash daily, and your smile will be better for it.
Example: Crest Pro-Health Complete Mouthwash with Fluoride
Total Care Mouthwash
While many types of specialized mouthwashes are available, there are some kinds that try to tend to all of your needs at once. If you’re concerned about whitening, freshening breath, and killing germs that cause gingivitis, then a total care mouthwash may be just the thing to handle it all. If you can only pick one mouthwash, this type is an excellent choice all-around.
Example: ACT® Total Care Icy Mint
Picking the Right Mouthwash Can Yield Benefits for Your Smile
While not every type of mouthwash will be right for you, finding the perfect one can help you reach your dental goals in a quicker and more effective way. Whether that goal is to whiten your teeth by multiple shades or to improve your breath and oral health, there is a mouthwash that can help. We recommend trying different types until you find the best one to meet your needs. Home care is excellent, but it’s no substitute for your biannual dental appointments – call Dr. Nguyen when you’re ready to schedule yours.