Tipes of Mouthwash

It looks terrible with plaques on the teeth, it smells miserable with a bad breath and it feels painful with cavities in the teeth. Still most of the people shy away from these problems and never take proper initiatives to get rid of these menaces to get a flawless oral health. Many of them think it is enough to brush the teeth twice daily to maintain the oral health. But the truth of the matter is that, you have to follow a regular regimen to clean between your teeth and for that you need the help of the mouthwashes.

There are many different mouthwash products available today. It is important to find out the product which is suitable for your particular needs and, for that you have to learn about the different types and categories of mouthwashes meant to serve specific purposes.

Mouthwashes may be classified as cosmetic, therapeutic or a combination of the two.



Cosmetic mouthwashes (sometimes called antiseptics) are available over the counter.
Most cosmetic mouthwashes perform the following functions:

• Temporarily mask bad breath (halitosis)
• Rinse away oral debris
• Temporarily reduce bacterial levels in the mouth
• Provide a pleasant, refreshing taste

Therapeutic mouthwashes offer most of the benefits of cosmetic rinses, but contain an added active ingredient that helps prevent or treat certain oral health conditions. These types of rinses are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and voluntarily approved by the ADA. They usually fall into one of two categories:

• Antiplaque/antigingivitis rinse. This type of therapeutic mouthwash has been shown to control bacterial plaque and to reduce and inhibit gingivitis. Many chlorhexidine gluconate and are available by prescription only. They may have an unpleasant taste or may leave a bitter aftertaste in the mouth. These solutions usually include alcohol, although they may be available without alcohol. They are recommended for short-term use only (e.g., six months or less).
• Anticavity fluoride rinse. These rinses include fluoride, which helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. They are available over-the-counter and by prescription (for a higher-concentration level of fluoride). People at high risk of tooth decay, as well as patients with orthodontic appliances, may be advised to regularly use these types of rinses in addition to their daily oral hygiene regimen.