Best Mouthwash for Periodontal Disease Treatment and Prevention

Understanding the Link Between Mouthwash and Periodontal Disease

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for preventing gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Using an effective mouthwash can supplement brushing and flossing to reduce plaque buildup and fight gingivitis. For those already diagnosed with receding gums or periodontitis, finding the best mouthwash for periodontal disease is key.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease progresses gradually, beginning with gingivitis. This early stage causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily. If gingivitis goes untreated, it can advance to periodontitis over time. Your risk increases if you smoke, have certain illnesses, or genetic predisposition.

Periodontitis involves loss of the bone and soft tissue supporting the teeth. Pockets form between the gums and teeth, becoming infected. Eventually, this long-term destruction results in tooth loss if not halted.

Using Mouthwash to Prevent Gum Disease

Good oral care is the first line of defense against periodontal disease. Brushing thoroughly twice daily, flossing once daily, and professional cleanings every 6 months can prevent gingivitis from starting or progressing.

As a supplemental aid, using an ADA approved antimicrobial mouthwash helps reduce plaque that brushing misses. Common active ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorhexidine kill bacteria missed by brushing, preventing proliferation.

Using a quality mouthwash daily reaches areas a toothbrush cannot like between teeth, reducing overall bacteria. This plaque-fighting ability helps disrupt development of gingivitis and progression toward advanced periodontal disease.

Choosing the Best Mouthwash for Gum Health

With loads of commercial mouthwashes available, choosing one well-suited to fight periodontal disease takes some savvy. Consider these factors when selecting the most appropriate mouthwash:

Safety

Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes, as frequent long-term use may increase oral cancer risks.brands lacking alcohol get the job done without this concern. Alcohol-free choices also prevents burning sensations.

ADA Acceptance

Seeking the ADA seal of acceptance ensures clinical safety and efficacy at fighting gingivitis or plaque-related conditions. The american dental association only awards this distinction to suitable products.

Added Fluoride

Seeking a mouthwash containing fluoride is wise for most adults as it strengthens tooth enamel against decay - an additional boon for gum health. Individuals at high cavity risk benefit most from the mineral.

Effectiveness of Common Mouthwash Ingredients

Knowing which mouthwash components successfully combat the bacteria most responsible for periodontal disease allows for informed selection of an effective brand.

Essential Oils

Essential oil based mouthwashes like Listerine contain eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, and thymol. These ingredients disrupt formation of plaque bacterial colonies.They demonstrate substantive ability to kill microbes for prolonged protection too.

Chlorhexidine

Available by prescription, chlorhexidine mouthwash serves as the gold standard anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis ingredient. It substantially reduces oral bacteria while preventing regrowth for up to 12 hours due to sustained substantivity.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide producing options like Colgate Peroxyl utilize active bubbling to physically remove bacteria and debris from mouth surfaces and pockets. While helpful, the wash lacks lasting bacteria-killing effects beyond initial swishing.

Cetylpyridinium Chloride

The most common over-the-counter mouthwash ingredient, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) effectively kills a wide spectrum of plaque-causing bacteria. However, it only displays short term substantivity like peroxide formulas.

Incorporating Mouthwash into Routine Dental Care

Used properly alongside regular brushing and flossing, an ADA approved antimicrobial mouthwash guards against development of periodontal disease. But remember - swishing daily represents just one piece of preventing gingivitis and periodontitis. Follow these additional tips too:

Brush Properly

Take at least two minutes to thoroughly brush teeth twice per day, taking care to gently brush along the gumline as well. Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste as well.

Floss Regularly

Gently and effectively floss at least once per day, especially before bed, to remove debris between teeth not reached by brushing. This minimizes bacteria accumulation that can irritate gums over time.

Receive Regular Dental Cleanings

Even the most diligent at home care allows some calculus buildup between teeth over 6 months. Professional dental cleanings every 6 months give teeth and gums a deeper, plaque-banishing refresh.

Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks

A diet high in sugary and acidic foods and beverages feeds the bacteria most implicated in plaque production and gum irritation. Limit intake of soda, candy, and excess fruit juice.

Treating Periodontitis with Antiseptic Mouthwashes

In moderate or severe cases of periodontitis, merely preventing additional damage is insufficient - the diseased tissue requires active treatment to halt and attempt to regenerate support for the teeth.

Specialized mouthwashes with antiseptic ingredients like chlorhexidine play an important role managing the bacterial infection attacking gum tissues and bone. Used in conjunction with thorough dental cleanings, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery, they help create an environment conducive to healing.

Prescription Antimicrobial Mouthwashes

If over-the-counter formulas prove insufficient to resolve periodontitis, dentists frequently prescribe prescription strength 0.12% chlorhexidine rinses. Used short term in concentrated doses, the ingredient effectively targets infection inside periodontal pockets while sparing healthy oral bacteria.

Antioxidant Micronutrient Rinses

After deep cleanings, dentists may also recommend special rinses to aid gum healing. Containing antioxidants like phytosphingosine and vitamin c coupled with electrolyzed water, these solutions promote tissue regeneration and oxygen circulation within the infected pocket.

At Home Maintenance

Any gains achieved from professional treatment only last if excellent at home care follows. Brushing properly, flossing, eating well, quitting smoking, and swishing daily with an ADA approved over-the-counter mouthwash keeps periodontitis at bay.

Taking charge of your oral wellness plays a pivotal role managing periodontal disease for life once diagnosed. An effective mouthwash for gums serves as just one weapon against plaque and infection - but a valuable one at that!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.