Which Mouthwash?

[Gompo]

Just wondering what people used? If I am missing out on something particularly good that's not too expensive?

I've not tried many, but use Listerine Cool Mint - nothing else seems as effective/strong.

No jokes please..

Edited by Gompo on Sunday 10th May 00:36

[Lois]

You don't want anything too strong. There was some research that said they kill all the good bacteria and you then get an increased chance of various infections and some can actually damage your teeth.

[rex]

If you are trying to use a mouthwash as a substitute for flossing or using an interdental brush, then you are wasting your time. It is the mechanical removal of the bacteria that is in plaque that will ensure that your gums stay healthy. Mouthwash will make your mouth and breath feel fresh but it is unwise to rely on this as a substitute for cleaning the gums where your tothbrush does not reach.

[Stevenj214]

I use Dentyl (along with brushing and flossing) and my teeth/mouth feel great.

[Gompo]

..Just to add to me original post, I brush twice a day along with the mouthwash and havent needed any work on my teeth for quite a while. Was just wondering if I was missing out on anything better/cheaper.

I am aware I should probably be flossing aswell but I've managed fine without so far..

[Rach*]

rex said:

If you are trying to use a mouthwash as a substitute for flossing or using an interdental brush, then you are wasting your time. It is the mechanical removal of the bacteria that is in plaque that will ensure that your gums stay healthy. Mouthwash will make your mouth and breath feel fresh but it is unwise to rely on this as a substitute for cleaning the gums where your tothbrush does not reach.

Exactly what i tell my patients.

Mouthwash is OK for a freshen up later in the day, after coffee break for example. But you need to physically get the plaque off, brushing, flossing/interdental brushes and tongue brushing.

Also using mouthwash directly after brushing washes off the fluoride in toothpaste you have just applied.

[hungry_hog]

Dentyl seems like an expensive gimmick

Would use listerine, about half the price, but as mentioned it is best used during the day rather than at brushing times

[GordonL]

I wouldn't use any at all, I think there are serious disadvantages to several of them and I can't see any positives from them. High alcohol content rinses are causing some concern due to links to oral cancers.

Get a hygienist (hi Rach!) to show you properly how to clean your teeth with brushes and floss and don't waste your time with rinses.

The latest "trendy" method in gum disease research is to use the "Archers" method. You should listen to an entire episode of The Archers while you're cleaning your mouth for optimum results

[maddog993]

GordonL said:

I wouldn't use any at all, I think there are serious disadvantages to several of them and I can't see any positives from them. High alcohol content rinses are causing some concern due to links to oral cancers.

Get a hygienist (hi Rach!) to show you properly how to clean your teeth with brushes and floss and don't waste your time with rinses.

The latest "trendy" method in gum disease research is to use the "Archers" method. You should listen to an entire episode of The Archers while you're cleaning your mouth for optimum results

That's interesting Gordon - How about the Dentyl ones that don't actually contain any alcohol?
I'm certainly not going to argue with a dentist or a dental hygenist but I thought I vaguely remember one of the studies we examined at University many years ago that suggested that it was fluoride- (in this case occurring naturally in the water supply) -that had a greater bearing on dental health rather than teeth brushing and, on the basis that most mouthwashes contain fluoride, regular mouthwashing could be significantly beneficial in this respect? (though I appreciate the correlation between the alcohol based ones and oral cancer.)

[Rach*]

If your teeth have plaque on them the fluoride isn't getting to the tooth surface, but the plaque is metabolising sugars into acids causing demineralisation.

But you're right fluoride is of great benefit, try Fluorigard daily - alchohol free, but use later in the day to keep the benefits from all your products.

[maddog993]

Rach* said:

If your teeth have plaque on them the fluoride isn't getting to the tooth surface, but the plaque is metabolising sugars into acids causing demineralisation.

But you're right fluoride is of great benefit, try Fluorigard daily - alchohol free, but use later in the day to keep the benefits from all your products.

very good, cheers for that Rach -

[Rach*]

No probs

[parapaul]

Interesting reading, this thread...

For the first 28 years of my life I brushed twice a day, nothing more, nothing less, and never needed any more than a scale and polish. Since meeting the current OH who uses mouthwash, I've used it twice daily after brushing too.

Strangely, my teeth actually feel worse now than they used to - it feels like the plaque is building up far quicker than it ever did before I used a mouthwash regularly.

Maybe I'll stop using it again and see...

[pacey_sot]

I use a fluoride mouthwash too, did use the Fluorigard but jsut started using Oral B's alcohol free flouride mouthwash, i prefer it, not as harsh

[Rach*]

Fluoride naturally occurs in water in many part of the country and in some places in a higher concentration than we add it.

[shakotan]

Lee. said:

Guys, im not one for posting on ph but i cant not say anything about this. Recently i have been researching conspiracy theories on the net, one thing led to another and i found myself researching fluoride and its effects on the body and why its in our drinking water supply and toothpaste, now im not going to go into detail as i am no expert but i have discovered some rather shocking results so im urging you to look for yourselves to make your mind, i have made up mine and i am disgusted by what i have found. For a quick and simple insight search fluoride in youtube or better still fluoride and aspartame, google brings up more detailed results but basically the same outcome.

I tried reading what you posted, but couldn't concentrate from all the rustling of your tinfoil hat.

[Rach*]

Lee. said:

The naturaly ocuring chemical in water that we need is different from from sodium fluoride that is added. sodium fluoride that is added to our water sytem and toothpaste is industrial waste from the manufacture of aluminum and has been used as a very effective rat poison for the last 40 years fact.

"fluoride is a rat poison" ignores the fact that poison is a matter of dose. Large amounts of many substances -- even pure water -- can poison people. But the trace amount of fluoride contained in fluoridated water will not harm anyone.


More than 300 million people worldwide have fluoridated water, are we all going to die a slow and agnonising death?



You really don't want to get into a fluoride debate.

[Rach*]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... in tap water - yay or nay?&mid=61049

[shakotan]

Lee. said:

The naturaly ocuring chemical in water that we need is different from from sodium fluoride that is added. sodium fluoride that is added to our water sytem and toothpaste is industrial waste from the manufacture of aluminum and has been used as a very effective rat poison for the last 40 years fact.

So I am to surmise from the way you have structured your post, that the water companies are putting Rat Poison in our water?

I'm surprised your paranoia allows you out of the house!

[drivin_me_nuts]

shakotan said:

Lee. said:

The naturaly ocuring chemical in water that we need is different from from sodium fluoride that is added. sodium fluoride that is added to our water sytem and toothpaste is industrial waste from the manufacture of aluminum and has been used as a very effective rat poison for the last 40 years fact.

So I am to surmise from the way you have structured your post, that the water companies are putting Rat Poison in our water?

I'm surprised your paranoia allows you out of the house!

.. only the fear of the sky falling on his head keeps him from leaving.