I recently took a trip to the store in Phoenix to stock up on some oral hygiene supplies. I was overwhelmed by the number of tooth pastes, mouthwash, floss and tooth brushes. My thought was that mouthwash is one of the simplest ways to improve your oral hygiene and in turn reduce dental visits. With so many varieties to choose from and so many hygiene issues each claim to solve which one is right for me? I thought that anti plaque mouthwash would be the best way to go to fight the bacteria that causes cavities. One of the main ingredients in anti plaque rinse is fluoride. Anti-cavity rinse with fluoride has been proven to reduce the bacteria that causes cavities by 50 percent. However most over the counter anti plaque mouth rinse only helps with cavities and gum disease slightly more than rinsing with water. Most antiseptic mouthwashes do curb bad breath and freshen breath for up to 3 hours after use. The most effective mouthwash is prescription-only rinse that your dentist can prescribe. These rinses have been proven to reduce the bacteria that causes plaque and cavities. There can be side effects from a prescription mouth rinse. A rinse with alcohol can give a burning sensation in your cheeks and gums. Too much fluoride can cause mouth ulcers, sensitivity to teeth and roots, stained teeth or a change to your taste sensation. Mouth rinse with fluoride is not recommended for children under the age of 6.

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