Mouthrinse (Mouthwash)
Mouthrinse may be a helpful addition to the daily oral hygiene routine for some people.
Like interdental cleaners, mouthrinse offers the benefit of reaching areas not easily accessed by a toothbrush. The question of whether to rinse before or after brushing may depend on personal preference; however, to maximize benefit from the oral care products used, manufacturers may recommend a specific order for their use, depending on ingredients. For example, some dentifrice ingredients (like calcium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide) can form a complex with fluoride ions and reduce a mouthrinse’s effectiveness. Therefore, vigorous rinsing with water may be recommended after brushing and before rinsing if these ingredients are present.
Types of Mouthrinse
Broadly speaking, there are two types of mouthrinse: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthrinses may temporarily control bad breath and leave behind a pleasant taste, but have no chemical or biological application beyond their temporary benefit. For example, if a product doesn’t kill bacteria associated with bad breath, then its benefit is considered to be solely cosmetic. Therapeutic mouthrinses, by contrast, have active ingredients intended to help control or reduce conditions like bad breath, gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay.
ADA Seal of Acceptance
Look for the ADA Seal—your assurance that the product has been objectively evaluated for safety and efficacy by an independent body of scientific experts, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. A company earns the ADA Seal for mouthrinse by producing scientific evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of its product, which is evaluated according to the objective requirements related to their claims.
Manufacturers of all types of mouthrinse who apply for the Seal must demonstrate that their products adhere to FDA regulations and meet the ANSI/ADA or ISO Standards for Oral Care products (wherever applicable). To qualify for the Seal of Acceptance, the company must demonstrate that their product meets applicable ADA Seal requirements, and must provide safety and efficacy data, to support the claims associated with their product.