Head down to your local pharmacy and go to the oral care section and you will likely see a wide range of mouthwashes or rinses to choose from. Some will be labeled or advertised as anti-plaque while others could be anti-gingivitis or alcohol free. Every single one of them will promise to take care of your gums, eliminate most bacteria in your mouth, and leave you with fresher breath.
These are the three main types of mouthwashes that you will find. Some will contain fluoride while others will be the aforementioned anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis.
Fluoride mouthwashes.
Fluoride is commonly used in toothpaste and it helps to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride encourages your body to help strengthen the enamel which is the hard substance that covers your teeth. Because you are using fluoride-based toothpaste, you’re not going to need mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Mouthwash for fresh breath.
If you have halitosis and are looking simply to get fresher breath, you may be tempted buy a number of mouthwashes that are focused more extensively on this aspect of oral care.
These are considered cosmetic rinses and while they may have some impact on bad breath and other mouth odors, they are going to have very minimal effect on bacteria. It is the bacteria in your mouth that tends to cause the most significant oral health problems.
Anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis mouthwashes.
This is the best type of mouthwash that you should use. It may not promote the fresh breath that you are aiming for, but it will help to protect your teeth and gums from the common ailments of plaque and gingivitis. They will also generally fight bacteria, which will eventually help you to have fresher breath naturally.
If you have any other questions about the type of mouthwash or rinse that you should be using, contact your local dentist.