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Are Mouthwashes Really Beneficial?

Different Considerations for Mouthwashes

Mouthwashes can either be for cosmetic or for therapeutic purposes; it depends on the composition of the product. Apparently, there are many benefits of therapeutic mouthwashes.

Cosmetic mouthwashes can temporarily mask bad breath and provide a pleasing flavor, but are ineffective against bacteria and sulfur compounds, which are responsible for halitosis (bad breath). For control of bad breath, your mouthwashes should have antimicrobials and for that they are therapeutic.

Look at the label and find antimicrobials in mouthwash that include chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, cetylpyridinium chloride, and essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol and methyl salicylate). Other agents are zinc salts, ketone, terpene, and ionone. Just watch out for certain compounds that may lead to tooth staining, like the combination chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride plus zinc lactate.

Therapeutic rinses can also reduce plaque and gingivitis when combined with daily brushing and flossing. Certain mouthwashes can also fight tooth decay because they have added fluoride ions in their composition. Some can whiten teeth, used daily, because of their 1.5 to 2 percent hydrogen peroxide content. Anesthetics such as lidocaine, benzocaine, butamin, tetracaine hydrochloride, dyclonine hydrochloride, or phenol are found in rinses and these can provide a certain degree of topical pain relief, such as in the presence of oral lesions or ulcers.

Note that these considerations are understood more by your dentist. The dentist can prescribe certain mouthwashes with specific instructions as to the dose, frequency and time in the mouth for certain oral conditions. Patient compliance is important for achieving the therapeutic purpose. Mouth- washes may offer additional benefits but they cannot take the place of proper brushing and flossing.

Prescription for Mouthwashes from Bellingham Dentists

Know more about the benefits of certain mouthwashes from your Bellingham dentists. Don’t use just any or buy over the counter without proper consultation. For therapeutic purposes, your dentist knows best.

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