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Mouthwash

| July 8, 2014 Comment

Mouthwash – With the right mouthwash, you can protect your teeth and gums. View this video to find out what makes a mouthwash effective.

Expert: Paul Fletcher, DDS Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, Specialized Dentistry of New York »

Transcript

It’s hard to imagine that something you just swish and spit can really benefit your dental health. But the RIGHT mouthwash can be one of your BEST defenses against bad breath and tooth decay.

With so MANY varieties of mouthwash, FOCUS on the ingredients. While ALL washes freshen your breath, some do a better job than others.

Antibacterial washes containing chlorhexidine or chlorine dioxide-help kill the bacteria that CAUSE bad breath. Unfortunately, chlorhexidine is only available in the US by prescription and long term use CAN cause your teeth to stain brown.

BUT other readily available over-the-counter mouth rinses can also do the trick. For instance, Listerine or its generic drugstore equivalent are great at temporarily killing odor-causing bacteria. Just make sure the active ingredients include menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate and eucalyptol. In combination, these four oils have an antiseptic effect, and in an ethanol alcohol base, they can break through plaque. Studies have shown this combination of ingredients reduces plaque levels by 52% more than brushing and flossing alone. Plus methyl salicylate acts as an anti inflammatory, which helps in cases of gingivitis.

For CAVITY prevention, pick a rinse containing FLUORIDE. This helps prevent enamel from decaying AND keeps existing weak spots from turning into full-blown cavities.

No matter which mouthwash you choose, there are a few rules you should follow. Make sure to ALWAYS measure out the correct amount as specified on the bottle. SWISH for at LEAST a full 30 seconds – DON’T rinse more than twice a day. The alcohol in the rinses can dry out your gums, AND if you brush, floss and clean your tongue effectively, your mouth won’t have an offensive odor anyway. After rinsing, DON’T eat or drink for 30 minutes so the active ingredients can do their job.

For more tips on keeping your smile healthy, check out other videos in this series.

Last Modified: 2012-11-30

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Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos

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