What’s The Best Mouthwash?

Which type of mouthwash best fight tooth decay?

“Therapeutic fluoride mouth rinses help fight dental decay by reducing the film of bacteria that forms on teeth,” says Dr. Jamie J. Alexander of Boynton Beach, Florida. “The control of this plaque is essential for preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and the build-up of calcified plaque.

Read the labels on mouth rinse packaging to look for both of the words fluoride and antimicrobial.

You want to use a mouthwash that both restores tooth enamel and kills germs. Crest, Colgate, ACT and Listerine are all well-known product lines that offer multiple therapeutic mouth rinse products. Be aware that some mouth rinses contain alcohol. Products with alcohol are effective in killing germs but can irritate the soft tissue of the mouth. All of the products are meant to be swished and spit out, not swallowed. Ingestion of a large amount can be toxic. Don’t rely on mouth rinses to clean your teeth. You still need to floss daily and brush your teeth at least twice a day—hopefully after every meal, at bedtime and first thing in the morning.”