To choose Oral solutions for dental health, strong & healthy gums, and cure gingivitis, you should use ready-made mouthwashes that contain fluorides. This is the advice of Stiftung Warentest after testing 20 types of mouthwashes.
Good oral hygiene prevents tooth decay, bleeding gums, and periodontal disease. Studies show that poor dental hygiene can even increase the risk of heart attacks. Therefore, it’s a great idea to supplement your daily oral hygiene using a mouthwash.
The Best Mouthwash: Stiftung Warentest Reveals
Surprisingly enough, the winner mouthwashes come from cheaper private labels from supermarkets and drug stores. The “Elkos DentaMax gum care mouthwash” from Edeka for instance, is right at the front.
The products from Lidl, Kaufland, and Rossmann are also convincing and receive an overall rating of “Good (1.6)”. They also score high as the products with better prices.
The test winner from the last test (01/2018) also held its position-Dontodent Antibacterial Oral Hygiene with herbal mint aroma achieved the rating “Very good” (1.4).
Mouthwashes Rated “Good”
A total of 7 out of 13 mouthwash solutions tested received an overall rating of “good”. In addition to the test winners, the following products also impressed:
- Müller SensiDent + rating “Good (1.7)”
- Listerine Total Care Clean Mint “Good (1.9)”
- Elmex Decays Protection Dental Solution “Good (2.1)”
On the other hand, there was a sobering verdict for mouthwashes for dilution. In fact, none of the products were convincing enough, and 6 were even discarded as defective. They failed to prevent tooth decay, plaque, gum inflammation, and bad breath.
Recommended Diluted Mouthwashes
The guys at Stiftung Warntest praised the following diluted mouthwashes for their overall effectiveness.
1. Listerine Total Care Fluoride | Good (1.9)
Developed in England as early as 1881 and sold in drug stores in the United States from 1914. The Total Care mouthwash offers good prevention against plaque and gingivitis. Additionally, the added essential oil takes care of bad breath. Listerine is in fact a great solution for dental health and oral hygiene.
. Warning: This product contains alcohol and is therefore not suitable to use during pregnancy.
2. Elmex Caries Protection Dental Rinse | Good (2.1)
The Elmex mouthwash contains amine fluoride and is sufficient for approx. 40 applications. It works against tooth decay, plaque, tartar, and bad breath.
The mouthwash is free of alcohol and dyes. Like Meridol, the Elmex brand belongs to the Gaba Group and is one of the market leaders in the oral hygiene industry.
3. Meridol from Gaba | Good (1.9)
The Gaba group has a long tradition of producing quality oral hygiene products. The Swiss company emerged from the Golden Pharmacy Basel, which was founded in 1638.
The Meridol mouthwash is suitable for caries prophylaxis and offers protection against plaque and gingivitis. The alcohol-free mouthwash uses active ingredients like amine fluoride and tin fluoride.
Bottom Line-A Good Mouthwash Doesn’t Have to Cost Tons
The mouthwashes presented here received good overall grades and can therefore be recommended without exception. Cheaper brands from supermarkets and drugstores, in particular, did well. A good mouthwash, therefore, doesn’t have to cost a lot.
While these professional test results may help you navigate through the products better, your ultimate choice may depend on a number of other factors as well. This factor may include the product price, alcohol, and no alcohol, even the taste and smell.
Related: Rub These Two Oils On Your Gums And Teeth For a Better Oral and Dental Health
Common Questions & Answers
Some common questions on the topic are answered here.
1. Are there special mouthwashes for children?
Yes, there are special oral solutions for children. These solutions are milder in taste, contain less fluoride, and are free from alcohol.
2. Do children need special care?
Such an oral solution is not suitable for children under the age of six as they may swallow it. Therefore, parents should make sure their little ones are already able to use a mouthwash.
3. What is the difference between a medical and a cosmetic one?
Medical mouthwashes are only available from a pharmacy and are usually prescribed by a health professional.
Therefore, under no circumstances should you use a medical mouthwash without consulting a specialist. Medical oral solutions usually use antibacterial chlorhexidine in higher concentrations.
4. What is the Proper Usage?
The solution bottles usually come with instructions. Generally, ten to twenty millimeters are sufficient for a single wash. You can use the sealing cup to measure the exact quantity. Once you take the right amount, rinse your mouth for 30 seconds once or twice a day.
5. What are the basic ingredients of a standard mouthwash?
Fluorides: Fluorides, such as sodium fluoride and amine fluoride are the basic ingredients in both toothpastes and oral solutions for dental health. They prevent tooth decay and harden the enamel.
Zinc salts: Zinc salts work against bacteria and thus protect against gingivitis, plaque, bad breath, and tartar.
Chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride: Both active ingredients fight bacteria and dental plaque. They are used in small concentrations in cosmetic ones.
Essential oils: Essential oils such as eucalyptol and thymol are plant extracts. These oils have antibacterial properties and prevent gingivitis.
Should I stop brushing if I am using a mouthwash?
Even a good mouthwash is no substitute for brushing. Instead, it is definitely a useful addition to protect and care for your teeth and gums. So, it’s great to use a mouthwash after brushing.
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