Question: Should I use _____________ mouth rinse?

Answer: That depends. Not to dodge the questions, however, some self-assessment questions should be posed: Is your current oral hygiene habits effective? Are you missing areas of your mouth that need attention? Is plaque control a problem?

If you have wandered down the dental supply isle at your local grocery store or pharmacy lately, the number of options are a bit overwhelming. We suggest that you first identify what is the primary goal of this rinse: Plaque control? Whitening? Anti-microbial? Sensitivity? Fluoride supplement? After narrowing your search, look for options that fit your desired criteria. As for frequency of rinsing, ask your dentist what would be right for you and your situation. Other thoughts on mouth rinses include: do you have a dry mouth? are your gums sensitive? do you have a lot of dental restorations (fillings and/or crowns)? Alcohol based rinses can exacerbate the effects of dry mouth and can be hard on the gums in certain individuals. Many options are now formulated to be alcohol free, to alleviate dry mouth and irritation to the gums.

If you have questions regarding your daily oral hygiene routine and which products are right for you, reach out to your dental provider and ask directed questions.

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