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A trip down the dental care aisle used to be easy, with just a few brands and not nearly so many varieties to choose from. These days, even picking out a mouthwash can seem like a monumental task, especially if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. To help you make the right choice for your smile, your Riverside dentists sort through the most widely available types of mouthwash, discuss the advantages of each one, and offer suggestions for incorporating mouthwash into your at-home dental care regimen.

Choose Your Rinse!

Whether it’s blue, green, pink, or purple, every brand and variety of mouthwash has something to offer in the way of keeping your mouth healthy or, at the very least, freshening your breath. Some of the most common mouthwash include:

  • Cosmetic Mouthwash (Think brands like Scope). Cosmetic mouthwashes work primarily because of ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride that counteract the odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds released by bacteria in the mouth. Cosmetic mouthwashes are designed to improve your breath temporarily. However, they often usually contain alcohol, which can dry out your mouth and counteract the self-cleaning action of your saliva.
  • Antiseptic Mouthwash (Think brands like Listerine). These bracing mouthwashes are designed to kill the bacteria living in plaque and while also leaving your mouth tasting and smelling fresh. However, they cannot substitute for brushing and flossing. Instead, include rinsing with an antiseptic or antimicrobial mouthwash in addition to regular brushing and flossing.
  • Fluoride Mouthwash (Think brands like ACT). These mouthwashes contain fluoride, a naturally derived mineral proven to actually rebuild tooth enamel. We often associate fluoride rinses with children, since many popular brands are made specifically for younger users. However, fluoride mouthwash can help adults, too. Fluoride mouthwashes are especially helpful for people who primarily drink bottled water (which usually hasn’t been treated with fluoride) or who live in areas without fluoridated municipal water.

Visit Your Riverside Dentists

If chronic bad breath is getting in the way of your social life, of if it’s simply time for you to refocus back on taking care of your smile, your Riverside dental experts are here to help. The caring professionals at Riverside Dental Group provide a full suite of services, including general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Call our 92504 dentist office at (951) 689-5031 for all of your dental care needs.