There are several types of mouthwash to choose from, so identifying which one will work best for you can be a challenge. Here, we’ve compared non-fluoride v/s fluoride mouthwashes to make your choice easier.
The first thing to consider when choosing a mouthwash is your personal oral health goals:
Bad breath: If bad breath is your major concern, you can use a cosmetic mouthwash on-the-go during the day. This might help boost your confidence during that afternoon meeting after your lunch.
Dry mouth: If you have a condition or are taking medications that produce dry mouth as a side effect it is advisable to use a mouthwash designed to provide oral comfort for hours together.
Plaque or gum issues: Some other conditions lie plaque buildup, gingivitis, and receding gums can be addressed by picking mouthwashes that contain fluoride, or other active ingredients that can be used to fight bacteria.
When considering whether a non-fluoride or a fluoride mouthwash should be a part of your oral routine, one of the most important things to understand is the difference between the two.
Non-Fluoride Mouthwash
Even though mouthwashes aren’t a replacement for a regular oral care routine of brushing twice a day and daily flossing, they can help you get rid of excess food particles in your mouth. A standard over-the-counter mouthwash includes mint flavoring and other breath-freshening ingredients, but it does not include fluoride unless the label says so.
When choosing your mouthwash, it is crucial to be aware of what type of mouthwash you actually need. Some provide anti-cavity benefits, others contain germ-killing ingredients that help prevent plaque buildup, while others freshen breath.
Fluoride Mouthwash
While fluoride mouthwash does not remove plaque, it works by protecting your tooth from the acids that are produced by bacterial plaque. Keep in mind that this type of mouthwash is not a substitute for flossing and brushing. In a fluoride rinse, the fluoride incorporates into the enamel of your tooth, thereby protecting against cavities in people who are susceptible to it.
A proper amount of fluoride isn’t just important for adults, but also for children. Fluoride can also help prevent (and even reverse) tooth decay in its early stages by allowing teeth damaged by acid from plaque to remineralize themselves and by strengthening tooth enamel.
