If you’ve been browsing through the dental health care aisle at the store, you may have noticed labels like mouthwash and fluoride rinse. But what’s the difference between the two? Which one should you choose? Today in the Parkcrest Dental Group blog, our pediatric and general dentistry teams discuss the difference between these and which one is right for your oral healthcare routine.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is primarily used to freshen your breath. It also typically contains alcohol, which is what gives you the burning sensation and that clean feeling. The alcohol kills the germs causing bad breath. Although mouthwash may make your mouth feel clean, you shouldn’t use it as a replacement for brushing and flossing. It’s merely meant to be a supplement to your routine. Mouthwashes don’t contain fluoride unless the label specifically says so. It is also important to always be aware of any alcohol content if considering the use of mouthwash with children.
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Fluoride Rinse
Fluoride rinses obviously contain fluoride. They’re actually a type of mouthwash, they just happen to carry more benefits than a normal mouthwash. They’re used to protect your teeth from the acids produced by plaque. This helps you to be less susceptible to cavities. Just like mouthwash, fluoride rinses shouldn’t be used as a replacement for brushing and flossing. It’s there to help further prevent plaque damage, but nothing protects against plaque better than brushing and flossing twice a day.
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Which Should I Choose?
Both mouthwash and fluoride rinses have their own unique benefits. Although it may be a bit overkill, there’s nothing wrong with incorporating both of these into your oral health routine. To make it easy, our pediatric and general dentistry teams recommend you simply look for a fluoride rinse that has breath-freshening as one of the benefits listed on the bottle Just keep in mind that some of the alcohol-heavy mouthwashes and rinses can be irritating if you’re prone to gum or teeth sensitivity. If you do have sensitive teeth and gums, or are buying it for a child, you can always opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash. These have the same benefits and are much less harsh. If you’re not sure what to use, you can always ask the general dentistry team at Parkcrest Dental Group. We’ll be happy to help you choose the perfect products for your dental health.
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Choose Parkcrest Dental Group
For all your general dentistry needs, choose Parkcrest Dental Group. We specialize in professional service and customer satisfaction. In addition to our general dentistry services, we offer orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Contact us today for more information about our pediatric and general dentistry services or to schedule an appointment.
