Learning to Take Better Care of Your Family's Teeth

The Differences Between The Two Types Of Mouthwash

Do you feel a bit overwhelmed when you look for mouthwash at the store? There seem to be so many different mouthwashes out there, all advertising different benefits and flavors, which make the selection process confusing. However, they all break down into one of two different categories that you should know about. 

Antiseptic Mouthwash

An antiseptic mouthwash is going to be great for your gums, and will not provide much protection for your teeth. This is because antiseptic mouthwashes help control the amount of plaque that is in the pockets of your gums and prevent gingivitis, which causes bleeding. By eliminating both of these problems, they also freshen your breath as a result. You may notice that these mouthwashes tend to cause a burning sensation when you use them. Thankfully, that can be reduced by using a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol. 

It is best to use antiseptic mouthwash in the morning, but it can also work well at night. It is perfectly fine to brush, rinse, eat, or drink after using an antiseptic mouthwash, since it would have already done its job at cleaning out your mouth. 

Anticavity Mouthwash

An anticavity mouthwash is frequently known as a fluoride rinse. These are great for the overall health of your teeth and are a bit different from antiseptic mouthwashes. You are not supposed to eat or drink anything for about half an hour after you use an anticavity mouthwash. This is why many people use an anticavity mouthwash directly before bed since they will likely not be eating or drinking for the rest of the night. You must not rinse the mouthwash out either. If you rinse your mouthwash right after you finish, it will almost be like you didn't use the mouthwash at all because it won't have a chance to work its way into your teeth. 

Consider using an anticavity mouthwash if you tend to have more cavities since it is going to do a great job at protecting your teeth. It also works great for anybody that wears braces and needs that extra protection they may be missing with their toothbrush and floss. If you tend to have a dry mouth and want to avoid using an antiseptic mouthwash because of that, an anticavity fluoride rinse will prevent that from happening. 

Looking for more information on what kind of mouthwash to use? Be sure to ask your dentist during your next appointment. Dentists can recommend the right type of mouthwash for you.


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