What are therapeutic mouth rinses?
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American Dental Association answered:Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and stop bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of gum disease. ADA-Accepted antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes have substantiated these claims by demonstrating significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone.
Talk to your dentist about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral hygiene products.
Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and stop bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of gum disease. ADA-Accepted antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes have... More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Therapeutic mouth rinses can help prevent or reduce the buildup of plaque, a sticky bacteria that forms on teeth and contributes to gum disease. These mouth rinses can also help prevent or reduce gingivitis (gum disease). Anti-cavity fluoride rinses can help prevent cavities and protect tooth enamel. If you have a physical disability and you're unable to brush your teeth sufficiently and twice daily, a dentist may recommend a therapeutic mouth rinse.
Other mouth rinses are formulated to help treat xerostomia, or dry mouth.Therapeutic mouth rinses can help prevent or reduce the buildup of plaque, a sticky bacteria that forms on teeth and contributes to gum disease. These mouth rinses can also help prevent or reduce gingivitis (gum disease). Anti-cavity... More -
Dr. Jonathan B. Levine answered:Therapeutic rinses contain specific active ingredients that target specific oral problems. Usually, they’re prescription-level products, and so should be used only as prescribed by their dentist, and only as long as the dentist recommends.
Therapeutic rinses address both short-term and long-term needs, including:- Post-Perio: After periodontal surgery, your periodontist might prescribe a rinse to keep bacteria away, such as Peridex. Peridex stains teeth, though, so be sure to make up for that with an at-home gentle whitening product.
- Gingivitis or plaque: Anti-plaque rinses use a variety of ingredients to loosen and detach plaque from tooth surfaces above the gum line. These usually contain the active ingredient chlorhexidine, known to be the most effective plaque-fighting drug. Chlorhexidine inhibits the formation of plaque and calculus. This kind of rinse should only ever be used only for a short time because it can seriously stain teeth. So, even during this brief period, you should use a type of at-home whitening product to control the staining.
- Dry mouth (which could also be long-term, in some cases): People with severe dry mouth (medically called xerostomia) usually acquire this condition from having gone through radiation therapy. Oral rinses, like Biotene, contain natural enzymes to re-balance the bacteria in the mouth, encouraging a moister environment.
- Cavities: Anti-cavity rinses with fluoride usually contain 0.05 percent sodium fluoride or .1 percent stannous fluoride and have been clinically proven to fight up to 50 percent more of the bacteria that cause cavities. Many dentists, though, consider the use of fluoride toothpaste alone to be more than adequate protection against cavities.
- Smokers: Smoker's mouthwashes dissolve and remove stubborn tobacco tar stains from teeth. They use glycerin (oil), and salt-based ingredients (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium benzoate) in an alcohol and water-based solution.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth also happens to people who have Sjogren’s Syndrome, a condition in which immune cells attack and destroy the gland that produce tears and saliva. There are tablets called Salagen, which stimulate the salivary glands.
Therapeutic rinses contain specific active ingredients that target specific oral problems. Usually, they’re prescription-level products, and so should be used only as prescribed by their dentist, and only as long as the dentist... More
