Mouthwash for Bad Breath

Is all mouthwash for bad breath or do consumers have to choose carefully from the wide range of products on the market? Actually, oral care products are often marketed as treatments for specific problems, and it’s important to read labels carefully before purchasing. In addition, you might want to consult a dental professional to be sure you are choosing a good product: professionals generally know what works and what doesn’t.

Oral rinses for odor reduction typically contain an antiseptic of some kind – a compound believed to act on the bacteria that are known to produce foul smelling gases in the mouth. Antiseptics in mouthwash for bad breath include essential oils from plants like thyme (thymol) eucalyptus, or mint (menthol), quaternary ammonium compounds such as cetylpyridinium chloride, oxygenating compounds such as peroxide, or an oil that physically picks up the bacteria and carries them away. Some of these antiseptics have been scientifically studied and proven effective, while others depend on anecdotal evidence and individual testimonials.

When shopping for rinses for odor reduction, be sure that you don’t buy a product intended for a different problem, such as tooth decay or gum disease. Though these dental diseases are often associated with oral malodor (they don’t so much cause oral malodor as arise from the same oral conditions) a product aimed only at them and not intended as a mouthwash for bad breath is unlikely to bring you the results you want.

Though many people now regard oral malodor as a medical, or even a social problem, oral rinses for odor reduction tend to be grouped with the cosmetic oral products – those that are intended to whiten teeth or reduce staining. Indeed, solving a halitosis problem may be as simple as paying more attention to oral hygiene and regularly using a mouthwash for bad breath. Unless you suspect an underlying medical condition—in which case, see your doctor—or more serious problems in the mouth, treat it cosmetically first. If this fails to bring relief, however, consult your dentist or dental hygienist. There are other products available only with a prescription.