It is one of the most confusing questions for many people. What is the best mouthwash? In order to know what is best for you, you must first know the types of mouthwash and choose the appropriate one for the condition that needs treatment.

What is mouthwash?

It is a liquid product used to maintain the health of the gums and teeth. It usually contains an antiseptic in order to eliminate harmful bacteria, which can live between the teeth or on the tongue. Many people resort to using mouthwash for many purposes such as getting rid of bad breath, treating gingivitis, or other therapeutic goals.

The importance of mouthwash

The use of mouthwash is a way to support the health of the teeth and gums, and its importance is due to the fact that it is considered effective in treating the following conditions:

How do you choose a mouthwash?

Determine the purpose of using mouthwash. There are two main types of mouthwash:

• cosmetic mouthwash: It is used to get rid of bad breath only, and it is not considered effective for caring for the health of gums and teeth.
• Medicated mouthwash: It is used to treat gum infections, protect against cavities, and dry throat. We will discuss some of its types in this article.

Types of mouthwash

1. Chlorhexidine mouthwash

Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial agent that causes gum disease. So it is effective in treating gum diseases such as gingivitis. This is what made it an ingredient used in some brands of mouthwash. However, it is not effective in removing bad breath.

Cautions for use

Long-term use of chlorhexidine mouthwash can lead to:

• Swelling of the teeth and tongue.
• Dry mouth.
• Altered or reduced ability to sense taste
• In some sick cases, it can increase the accumulation of dental calculus

Therefore, it is recommended not to overuse it, and to use it under the supervision of a doctor.

2. Fluoride mouthwash

Many types of mouthwash contain sodium fluoride, which works to protect teeth against cavities. As fluoride has proven effective in reducing tooth decay by 5% to 50%, it also helps to whiten teeth. So it may be a good choice for the following cases:

• Orthodontic patients
• Increased tooth decay
• Premature enamel necrosis
• Partial dentures
• Dry mouth patients

Be careful not to swallow mouthwash that contains fluoride, because fluoride is toxic, especially if a large dose is swallowed.

3. Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash

Hydrogen peroxide is an active ingredient that kills bacterial cells. It is considered safe to use if a concentration of 1% to 3% is used. Among its benefits are:

• Reduce gingivitis
• Slightly whiten teeth

It is not recommended to overuse the lotion that contains hydrogen peroxide, because it may cause damage to the cells of the pulp of the teeth.

4. Antiseptic mouthwash

Some types of mouthwash contain alcohol to treat oral infection and combat the growth of bacteria, but some research has shown that the use of alcohol may make the cells of the mouth more susceptible to cancer (oral cancer). When alcohol decomposes, acetaldehyde is produced, which is responsible for the effects alcohol toxicity.

Therefore, it is not recommended to overuse antiseptic mouthwash, to avoid its risks such as the possibility of a change in the color of the teeth, dry throat, and taste disturbances.

The best natural mouthwash

1. Mouthwash with volatile oils

When determining the best natural mouthwash, you can put volatile oils on your list of choices, because they are oils extracted from plants with therapeutic properties. What distinguishes essential oils is that they contain antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

It can also be used as a natural product to treat oral and gum diseases, in addition to that it can be used as a good perfume to get rid of bad breath. Examples of these oils are:

• clove oil
• Peppermint oil
• Spearmint oil
• Eucalyptus oil – Eucalyptus oil
• Thyme oil

It is worth noting that there are some types of mouthwash available, which contain some of the volatile oils such as menthol (mint), thymol (thyme), and eucalyptus. However, it is also indispensable to practice daily cleaning of the mouth using brush and floss.

2. Mouthwash with salt water

One of the advantages of salt water is that it contains the same salts and minerals found in body fluids, and it also contains antibacterial properties, which makes using salt water a good option for treating gum infections.

Common cases include gargling with water and salt with it:

• after tooth extraction
• Mouth ulcer treatment
• Treatment of sore throat and tonsils
• Bad breath treatment

This method is the best natural mouthwash, all you have to do is add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. It can be used as a daily mouthwash in order to maintain oral health and hygiene.

Tips when using mouthwash

• It is important that you do not accidentally swallow fluoride-containing mouthwash, as it is considered a toxic substance.
• Mouthwash is not recommended for those under the age of 6, unless the mouthwash is specifically designed for children. This is due to the increased risk of swallowing mouthwash.
• Read the ingredients label well before purchasing to get the best mouthwash suitable for your needs, and to make sure that it does not contain an ingredient that may cause you an allergic reaction.
• It is considered one of the misconceptions when choosing a mouthwash, that it may completely remove dental tartar (plaque). However, this is not true, as it is a supportive method, and the use of a toothbrush should not be dispensed with either.
• It is not recommended to use mouthwash for long periods of time except under the supervision of a doctor, in order to avoid any side effects in the long term.
• Mouthwash is used before or after brushing teeth, and it takes 30 to 60 seconds to gargle.
• If you are using mouthwash to treat inflammation and bleeding gums, it may take several weeks for you to get the desired result.

In the end, if you need medical advice to treat gum problems, or any other specialty, you can contact a certified doctor.