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How to Choose a Mouthwash

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It is amazing how many choices exist in the dental care aisle at any large chain store. It can be overwhelming for those who haven’t yet chosen a favorite variety of brush, paste, and mouthwash.

So, how does the beginner pick from the many different varieties of dental rinse?

Mouthwash does come in several brand names and can make wide varieties of claim regarding its potential power. The one that you choose will likely depend on your needs.

For those trying to escape foul breath, brands like Scope offer zinc and chlorine based rinses that have been shown to combat the bacteria and neutralize the sulphur they put off.

On the other hand, Listerine and similar brands often feature products laced with thymol, eucalyptol or menthol, which truly do a number on mouth bacteria, thereby reducing the chances of cavities and infection.

Finally, those containing fluoride are great for those who are prone to cavities, especially those who don’t have fluoride in their drinking water. While this substance doesn’t defend against gum disease, it does strengthen enamel to defend against boring bacteria.

For those who need more help than can be offered by over-the-counter brands, there are even prescription mouthwashes that can actually help fend off the effects of gingivitis or periodontitis.

So, depending on the needs of your mouth, these rinses can serve a variety of purposes. It’s worth taking a moment to seek out the one that will best help you, but always opt for an ADA approved brand.

For more information, read the full article.

You Won’t Believe How Much Bacteria is Living in Your Mouth

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Most people realize that it is bacteria that eat away at teeth, causing cavities. They also know that bacteria can lead to infection. So, wouldn’t it seem that the goal would be a bacteria-free mouth? Wouldn’t you like to think that you have only a minimal amount of the microscopic beings existing among your teeth and gums?

Well, no matter what you think, what you hope, or how much you brush, bacteria is a fact of life and it can be found in everyone’s mouth at any given time.

There are more than six hundred known species of bacteria and for every inch of saliva filled space, there are approximately two and half billion unwanted organisms. In fact, the only human beings devoid of the microscopic visitors are newborns, but with that first sip of milk, the colonization begins.

Not all of these teeny-tiny species are troublesome. Actually, most serve a good purpose, in that they keep away the unscrupulous types, yet there are always those ‘bad eggs’.

Some of the most common forms of bad bacteria found in the mouth include staphylococci, which are the plaque causing problems, porphyromonas gingivalis, which is associated with periodontitis, and fusospirochetes, which can cause infection if the gums should be nicked or cut. There is other plaque forming bacteria as well, such as the actinomyces, which is rather adaptable and can quickly attach to the surface of teeth.

Want to know more about the inner workings of your mouth? Then, read the full article.

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

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You know you feel awful and your mouth is the source of the pain, but how do you know if it is an abscess? Of course, the most obvious answer would be to schedule the emergency visit with your dentist, but for those who just want to know the warning signs, this article intends to be your guide.

An abscess is an infection in the mouth that exists at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. It can be very painful, but will also come with a host of other symptoms. The severity of these can vary substantially from person to person, and some individuals will not notice all of them.

In most cases, however, fever will accompany the pain, which will be localized. In other words, you should be able to point to a single area that hurts. This area will also be more sensitive to hot and cold than it would be otherwise. The neck glands can become swollen and sore and the sufferer can also begin to feel ill.

In addition to this, a person with an abscess will typically have suddenly foul breath and may complain of a bad taste in his or her mouth that will not go away. The area of infection may appear red, swollen, or may even have an open sore on the side of the gum.

It is important to get immediate care if you show the symptoms of abscess. This type of infection can kill the root of the tooth and may continue to spread throughout the mouth if not treated.

For more information on this topic, read the full article.

Can Mouthwash Really Cure Your Bad Breath?

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Bad breath is all together evil. It can be pure torment when forced to speak in close proximity with someone who is suffering the ill-fate, but what is worse is when you are the one that others try to avoid. So, what causes this oral demon?

Bad breath is actually the result of bacterial buildup within the mouth. This forms as a result of food particles missed by brush or floss and left to linger. As it breaks down, bacteria forms and puts off an often putrid smell. This, of course, can be made worse by eating certain foods such as onions or garlic. Furthermore, the dryer the mouth is, the less likely that the bacteria will be washed away. If it is not, then there is room for bacteria to build upon bacteria, making for an even more unbearable scent. There are also certain medical afflictions that can make this worse. These include postnasal drip and chronic bronchitis, among others.

In order to beat away the offensive odor, reach for your tooth brush. However, the target isn’t necessarily going to be the teeth. While brushing and flossing is very important in the defense against bad breath, decay, and disease, it is the tongue that is a frequent culprit. Use the brush to gently scrub the tongue, especially near the back of the mouth. Also consider regular use of mouthwash and increasing water intake to keep the mouth moist. In the battle of bad breath, these techniques almost always win.

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