Mouth Wash: Facts and Fiction
If asked the question: Is there a difference between the various types of mouth wash? What would your answer be?
Many people simply assume that one product is much like the next, and there is some truth to that if you are only thinking of the more popularized, advertised brands. Brands such as:
- Listerine mouthwash
- Scope Mouthwash
- Crest Pro Health Mouthwash
- And many others
All of the above brands contain various chemicals and dyes that many of today's consumers do not wish to have inside their bodies. Listerine Mouthwash and Scope Mouthwash both contain alcohol, which has been shown to cause dehydration within the oral cavity. This dehydration can actually increase the production of odor-producing germs once the product is gone. While Crest Pro Health Mouthwash does not contain alcohol, it does contain a dye that some users would prefer to not ingest.
Mouth wash in general should do three things:
- Freshen breath by killing odor-producing bacteria
- Reduce the onset of gingivitis
- Reduce the build-up of plaque
But can any product do these things and still be all-natural? Are there any products on the market today that are not alcohol based and yet are still effective in reducing bad breath, gingivitis, and plaque? The answer is yes. There are a few on the market that use natural ingredients and have no alcohol component as an ingredient.
Studies have shown that products containing a combination of essential oils of peppermint, spearmint, and almond can be an effective all-natural means of fighting bad breath, reducing gum disease, and reducing plaque build up on teeth. Clinical studies on such products as OraMD® have proven them to be effective and safe, and they do not contain the harsh chemicals and dyes that most over-the-counter mouth wash products contain.
These essential oils work at the root cause of the problems, namely at the bacteria level. When these essential oils are used on the tongue, they begin working on the bacteria that release the by-products (sulfur compounds) that cause halitosis and other oral problems. Rather than simply masking the odor, they actually inhibit the production of these by-products.
There is a cautionary note here, however. These essential oils of peppermint, spearmint, and almond have many uses depending on how they are formulated. When you research for reliable products based on these oil mouthwash ingredients make sure you deal with a company that has developed their product under clinical supervision and has tested the resultant mouth wash for efficiency.
