As family dentists, Dr. Tom Villani and Dr. Richard Kondrat often mention how important it is to brush, floss, and rinse with an oral rinse or mouthwash on a daily basis. While most of our patients understand how to brush and floss their teeth properly, some don’t know how to go about choosing an oral rinse that fits their unique dental needs. Today, your Brighton dental health care providers want to explain how to choose the right mouthwash for you.
There are three types of mouth rinses:
- Fluoride mouth rinses
- Mouth rinses to freshen breath
- Anti-gingivitis/anti-plaque mouth rinses
Fluoride-Containing Mouth Rinses
Because it helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening your tooth enamel, fluoride is crucial to the health of your tooth. Fluoride is found in most toothpastes and tap water, however, so people with healthy smiles don’t usually require fluoridated mouth rinses.
People who are prone to cavities and those who have xerostomia (dry mouth) should use a fluoride mouth rinse on a daily basis. If Dr. Kondrat or Dr. Villani feel that a higher fluoride intake will improve the health of your teeth, they will discuss treatment options with you at your next dental checkup and cleaning appointment.
Mouth Rinses to Freshen Breath
A breath-freshening agent is something that most people look for in a mouthwash or oral rinse. Generally, these types of products temporarily make breath smell good by killing halitosis-causing bacteria, but do not offer ay long-term dental health benefits.
Anti-Plaque and Anti-Gingivitis Mouth Rinses
In most cases, Dr. Kondrat and Dr. Villani will recommend these types of oral rinses to all adult patients to accompany thorough brushing and flossing. Anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis rinses kill potentially harmful bacteria to protect the health of your teeth and gums and prevent against serious oral health problems, including gum disease and dry mouth.
To ensure that the oral rinse will be effective, look for the American Dental Association seal of approval. This seal means that the product has been proven effective by the ADA. Next time you’re in our dental chair, ask us how you can improve your dental health. We’re happy to help!
To reserve an appointment at Brighton Family Dental Group, in Brighton, Massachusetts, call (617) 562-5201. We welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and the surrounding communities.
