Does using mouthwash really help to care for your teeth? That is a good question that has often times been debated. The answer is dependant on the mouthwash you use.

Mouthwash is as good as the products that are in the mouthwash. There is also a difference in a mouthwash and a mouth rinse pre-wash.

It is important not to think that a mouthwash alone, regardless of what it has in it, can take over for your regular brushing and flossing. Each part of the oral hygiene process is important and cannot be left out.

Antibacterial washes: the antibacterial washes have products that kill bacteria. The bottle you look at will tell you what the mouthwash is intended for. If there are bacteria killing agents it will be stated. The antibacterial washes minimize the total number of anaerobic bacteria in your mouth. With these bacteria creating the volatile plaque in your mouth, on your teeth and tongue, it is important that these are removed. Using the antibacterial mouthwash can help remove these bacteria.

Antibacterial mouthwashes are often prescribed for infections, thrush and gingivitis.

Mouthwashes with zinc: For people who experience bad breathe often, there may be some relief by using a mouthwash with zinc.

Fluoride rinses: There rinses are good if you need an added boost to the strength of your teeth. These can also be prescribed by your dentist for small children who are in need of extra fluoride for healthy growth.

Combination mouthwashes: These mouthwashes have a little bit of everything. They have antibacterial fighters, zinc, and fluoride among other products that are good for your teeth. A common combination mouthwash can help with reducing the bacteria in your mouth that causes plaque and which causes bad breathe.

You can get these mouthwashes and rinses all over the counter. The mouthwashes that you get from your dentist with a prescription are Peridex and Periogaurd. These mouthwashes are used specifically for gingivitis, which is the main cause for inflammation, bleeding and swelling of the gums.

When you are using a mouthwash, especially with fluoride or an antibacterial agent, it is a good idea to talk to your dentist for prolonged use. This is due to the fact that those mouthwashes can stain your teeth and also cause some deficiency in the taste buds.

It is important to remember that mouthwash is only a part of healthy oral hygiene. In order to have the healthiest results for strong and long lasting teeth, you need to floss and brush your teeth daily. Prolonged mouth wash use can have negative affects on the teeth themselves. This is more so if the mouthwash use is done instead of the tooth flossing and brushing. However mouthwash can be helpful in the overall care of your teeth and gums.

If bad breath is a problem, then it is important to get to the dentist because bad breath can also be a sign of other more serious dental problems. This could be a warning sign of gum disease. There can also be decay, filling or crown problems that when the bacteria is getting into spaces that a toothbrush and floss is not able to reach appropriately, then the bacteria is damaging the teeth further. This is why regular dental check ups are so important. Your dentist will be able to detect these types of problems before they become serious.