Top 5 Mouth Rinse Myths

The Oxyfresh newsletter included an interesting article in their newsletter about mouth rinses.

1. THE SIGN OF A GOOD MOUTH RINSE IS THE BURN
   The myth that the burn is good, that it’s doing something or means it’s killing germs has been going on long enough. Truth be told, the sign of a burning mouth rinse is a warning sign. Burning the tissues of your mouth can be very harmful. And not just for your tissues, but for the precious investment in your dental work as well. The cause of the burn is the alcohol contained in rinses. The alcohol content in some rinses (up to 27 percent) is not only responsible for the burn, it also causes dryness to the tissues in the mouth. The dehydration affect can place an individual at risk for an increase in caries, increase in the risk of oral cancer (for smokers), increase in malodor or bad breath and cause discomfort in the mouth and even compromise the integrity of composite, bonding (or tooth colored) filling materials. One other note, the alcohol content in mouth rinses has been the cause of concern for toxicity in small children, which is why child resistant closures are required for those particular rinses.
   
   
2. MOUTH RINSES ALL DO ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING
   Mouth rinses are not all created equal. The need for a mouth rinse was first developed as a result of a growing concern with oral malodor or bad breath. Original mouth rinses were developed accidentally, by way of trial and error and through the use of other product demands and concerns. However, as we have advanced, so has our research and product development in this area. There are growing options in home care products that serve a variety of consumer wants and needs. Many mouth rinses are now answering to the demand of the consumer and offer specialized ingredients such as aloe vera, fluoride, Xylitol and zinc. Some are alcohol-free and dye-free. Many product lines offer unique, customized programs and systems as well as individual products that address specific concerns.
   
   
3. IF A MOUTH RINSE TASTES "BAD" IT MUST BE GOOD
   This is the decades-old myth, “good medicine tastes bad.” In fact, in the 1970s a commonly known mouthwash used an ad slogan that read, “The taste you hate twice a day.” It’s time to move past this myth and understand we now have incredible tasting options in mouth rinse that have phenomenal cosmetic and therapeutic benefits as well as great value. Hating your mouth rinse is no longer necessary.
   
   
4. ALL MOUTH RINSES ELIMINATE BAD BREATH
   The source of oral malodor is linked to elevated levels of anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria termed, VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds). Unfortunately, most mouth rinses only contain strong flavorings that may mask bad breath temporarily and do not address the source. Also, mouth rinses that contain alcohol may dry the tissues and mouth, encouraging more odor-causing bacteria to accumulate, thereby worsening the condition. The truth is, only specialized mouth rinses that contain an effective ingredient to neutralize odor-causing bacteria will produce the best results in eliminating breath concerns.
   
   
5. USING A MOUTH RINSE REGULARLY WILL ALLOW ME TO EXTEND MY HYGIENE VISITS
   Not so fast. There is never a replacement for regular visits to the dentist and hygienist for check up and cleaning, no matter what you’re using or how well you’re taking care of your teeth and gums at home. By using recommended home care products and devices, you may enhance the effect of the office treatment, ensure the longevity of your smile, the health of your teeth, fresher breath and enjoy whiter teeth longer. You must always follow the guidelines set by your dental care professional when it comes to the frequency of your visits.