What do you think of when you hear mouthwash? A quick fix to bad breath? Cosmetic mouthwashes do a great job of masking halitosis. But you may not know is that some types of mouthwashes do a lot more. Oral rinses are an integral part of preventative dentistry.

Specialty oral rinses are known as therapeutic mouthwashes. If you are having mouth-related problems, these types of mouthwashes may be able to prevent and correct your condition. We recommend our patients use them for problems related to:

• Gum disease
• Plaque and tartar
• Ulcers
• Cavities
• Dry mouth

7 Types of Therapeutic Mouthwashes

Here are some of the top-rated oral rinses that we recommend. Most of these are available over the counter. We hope to help you find the one that’s right for you.

Listerine

• Listerine has been around for quite some time and is perhaps the most popular oral rinse to date. Dentists trust the brand and patients see results. It does a great job of masking bad breath and gives the user a cooling effect that leaves a fresh taste in your mouth. Some people find it too harsh, and Listerine may not be the best choice if you are having severe problems with your mouth.

TheraBreath

• • This mouthwash is alcohol-free but still powerful. OXYD-8 is the main ingredient and is clinically proven to keep your breath fresh for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for an all-natural mouth rinse, this is the one for you. The taste is also a lot more mild compared to Listerine.

Biotine

• • Biotine specializes in dry-mouth symptoms. It is an alcohol-free based rinse and contains all the necessary ingredients needed in order to kill bad breath bacteria. It also contains proprietary beneficial enzymes, used to balance the pH levels in your mouth.

ACT

• • ACT has been clinically proven to restore vital minerals to your teeth and mouth. Dentists trust its restorative properties. The mouthwash, like Listerine, has a strong taste due to the alcohol base in its ingredients.

Tom’s of Maine

• • This mouthwash is completely free of unnatural ingredients. Their ingredient list includes licorice root extract, hops extract, mint, stevia, chamomile flower extract, and baking soda. Baking soda is the strongest bacteria killer you’ll find in nature.

Nature’s Answer

• • You probably guessed from the name that this product also uses all-natural ingredients. What you may not know: this mouthwash also contains certain herbs that help fight gum disease. Nature’s Answer also contains CoQ10, which helps with dry-mouth symptoms and is also recommended for oral surgery patients during recovery.

Smart Mouth

• • Smart Mouth is an all-around good choice. It uses an alcohol-free base and contains ingredients that fight gum disease, halitosis, and tooth decay. When used, it leaves a zinc-ion coating on your teeth which prevents bacteria from forming plaque and tartar. Smart Mouth is also a good choice if you are recovering from oral surgery.

Not sure which therapeutic mouthwash is right for you? Ask us during your next appointment and we can recommend a mouthwash based on your specific preferences and needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.