If ever you’ve used mouthwash, you’ll be aware that the taste is intense, you can feel the liquid doing its job, and you can get a slight, intense tingling sensation that leaves an aftertaste that can be refreshing.
This option can be used for those who may want a quicker way to manage their oral health but is more of an aid to regular mouthwash, so as good as mouthwash is, there could be some discussion over its efficacy.
However, Colgate has released four flavours of mouthwash that are intended to do away with ingredient staples and has a refreshing look and purpose to them, but how good are these flavours exactly?
In this article, we’ll look at each flavour and determine what makes these better than traditional mouthwashes and how these fit into your teeth cleaning routine in general.
Read on to find out more about how mouthwash can affect your oral health.
How Does Mouthwash Work?
Mouthwash kills bacteria by using antiseptic ingredients such as alcohol, menthol, and eucalyptol and can get into the nooks and gaps of your teeth to target bacteria and plaque that can build up there.
It’s been shown that mouthwash can play a significant role in preventing plaque build-up and issues such as bleeding gums or gingivitis, but as each product’s formula differs considerably, it can be hard to determine which one is the most effective.
This may be why you’ll experience a sharp and mostly stinging sensation during and after you use it, and ones containing fluoride can help to make tooth enamel stronger.
You might also want to use mouthwash if you have open sores or lesions in your mouth, as the mouthwash can kill the bacteria and, in some cases, speed the healing process.
Brands such as Corsodyl have been made and are sold to target ulcers as well as heal the leading cause of gum disease or worsening gum problems in general, and the chemical chlorhexidine digluconate is the antiseptic and disinfectant that makes this mouthwash effective.
That may be why a considerable amount of UK residents either use mouthwash as part of their cleaning routine or may opt to only use it exclusively for the benefit of time.
What Types Of Mouthwash Are There?
With its uses explained, you might not be aware that there are different types of mouthwash that you may only be able to find in specific environments and can benefit your oral health in different ways.
Below we have listed some of these types and give an explanation as to how each works.
Antiseptic Mouthwash
You can get this in different amounts of concentration, but over-the-counter types sometimes contain around 5% of chlorhexidine digluconate solution Ph, and stronger types may have to be prescribed to you by a dentist.
What makes these types great is that they can be a short-term or alternative to regular practices like brushing or flossing in areas where brushing may not be possible or maybe a surgical site where bacteria can build up, making recovery more difficult.
These types can also be used by those who may have a disability that prevents them from keeping up with a daily cleaning routine and are great for preventing the cause of secondary infections.
Plaque-Inhibiting Mouthwash
This mouthwash works by using its active ingredients from antimicrobials and agents that can prevent bacteria from latching onto surfaces like teeth and helps at any stage of the plaque biofilms colonisation.
This can be useful to prevent the onset and progress of gum disease, which can cause further issues such as tooth decay and later tooth loss, and different brands may have other agents that can block this bacteria in different ways.
It is recommended that this type is used alongside brushing, but there are instances where this mouthwash can negate the effects of fluoride in toothpaste, which may be an issue as it’s recommended that this mouthwash be an ongoing rather than a short-term use solution.
Preventative Mouthwash
These are the most widely used mouthwashes as they contain fluoride, which can help towards tooth decay and can aid the reversal of cavities or weaknesses on the hard surface of your teeth, and is recommended for those who are most at risk of developing these cavities.
You might also be recommended this type if you’re someone who has a frequent sugar intake or if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, where a fixed appliance may prevent you from maintaining your oral health by traditional means.
You might find these in different concentrations, that being the daily 0.05% of sodium fluoride or the stronger 0.2%, and child-friendly versions have been shown to be effective in preventing early signs of dental cavities.
What Colgate Swish Flavours Are There?
If you’re not a fan of traditional mouthwashes, you might find some comfort in Colgate’s line-up of mouthwashes that come in a forever recyclable aluminium bottle and are alcohol and fluoride-free.
It also doesn’t have any artificial dyes and sweeteners, is made from 100% natural mint oil, and is said to kill 99% of germs and protect against plaque and gingivitis, so we’ve listed the flavours below.
Simply Fresh Mint
This flavour could work for you if you want to avoid that soapy fluoride taste in your mouth that, when combined with other tastes, might sour this taste for you.
Mild Mint
You can get this same flavour in toothpaste, which is a testament to how effective yet unintrusive this taste can be and can promote oral health at the same time.
Invigorating Mint
If you’re looking for something that tastes natural and has that spearmint taste that you’re accustomed to, this one could be a great one to wake up with while revitalising your smell and taste.
Simply Peppermint
You might want something that has a sweet-like taste to it and wants something that can give you a cooling sensation after it, so you might want to consider giving this type a try.
What Others Are Saying About Colgate Swish
Many users have noted how these mouthwashes have been effective in areas such as clearing up tooth infections and how they have improved their breath, especially in the morning, where this can be especially noticeable.
Users have also praised how the flavour isn’t too overpowering compared to brands such as Listerine, which is great news for those who are hesitant about what sort of aftertaste these mint flavours have.
The aluminium bottle also hasn’t gone unnoticed, as users have noted how convenient this option is and is a great alternative to plastic packaging, which can do harm to the environment in the long run.
Our Verdict
After looking at these varieties, we can see some problems, such as them being exclusive to stores such as Target or Amazon US stores, which means anyone outside this area is going to find it difficult to find these varieties.
There’s also the ethical problem of animal testing, as Colgate is prone to but doesn’t make apparent whether or not these mouthwashes have been tested on animals, so there’s a dilemma over purchasing these products.
Another problem we’ve seen is the bottle itself, which many have claimed isn’t the strongest, so you might see some marking or damage to the bottle if you order it online.
We can’t say for definite if this mouthwash is more effective than other brands as it uses sorbitol to help against tooth decay or cavities but has other inactive ingredients for the purpose of flavourings that don’t have an effect on you.
This might seem questionable and may leave some doubt about whether its components are there for simply flavouring or actively improving your oral health, as the efficacy of mouthwash is still being looked into today.
If you’re able to access this mouthwash and you want an alternative to other brands, or if you are particularly sensitive to other intense mouthwash flavours, there isn’t any harm in trying one out to see if it works for you.
Benefits Of Mouthwash
Even though the effectiveness of mouthwash is still being looked into, there is enough knowledge about it that we can generally get a good idea of what can be possible if you include mouthwash into your daily cleaning routine.
Below are a few benefits that can justify including it in your daily cleaning routine that can provide long-term benefits.
Helps To Wash Away Particles And Bacteria
Even though many people use mouthwash after their brushing and flossing activity in the morning or the evening, it can be helpful after you’ve eaten, as mouthwash can clear away any food particles or pieces that can stick to the surface of your teeth.
This can be effective in giving you better breath, and this can help you during any time of the day, as this aspect might not be so much a priority when people think of oral health.
Helps To Reduce Plaque Build-Up
If you happen to find a plaque on your teeth, which can lodge itself in those hard-to-reach areas, and you’ve tried other methods such as flossing, mouthwash can be a great way to rinse this plaque away, as there’s nothing worse than getting that foul rotting smell from plaque that you’ve had difficulty removing.
However, mouthwash isn’t the most effective in removing plaque that has already established itself, so it is more effective to use after you have eaten, especially if you’ve just consumed starchy, acidic, or sugary goods, which pose more of a threat.
Can Help With Ulcers Or Sores
Alchohol-based mouthwashes can be effective at healing sores or ulcers in your mouth more effectively, especially those that might be inflamed or cause you difficulty with eating or talking and can help by clearing the bacteria that cause these sores away.
Be aware that fluoride-based mouthwashes might not be as effective in this as ethanol-type mouthwashes, so be sure to check the label to see what that mouthwash can help to aid with.
Helps With Gum Disease
If you have red, tender, or sore gums, mouthwash can be a great ally, especially if you’re weary of brushing your gums, as this might cause bleeding, and this can work wonders alongside flossing and fluoride toothpaste.
This can also be useful in the prevention of gingival recession, which can cause unnecessary tooth loss or dentist appointments, which can affect your confidence and aspects of speech or eating.
Problems Of Mouthwash
As you can see, mouthwash does have quite a few benefits if it’s used in the right way, but there are instances where mouthwash could work against or to the detriment of your overall oral health, and some may be minor and sometimes major.
Below are a few of these that you may want to bear in mind when deciding if you should use mouthwash or not.
Leaves A Residue Or Staining Of Teeth
Side effects aren’t limited to those mouthwashes that are alcohol-based, and ones that contain chlorhexidine have the potential to cause temporary teeth staining after use, and this is more prominent with types that have bright dyes in them.
This might leave your teeth feeling strange after you’ve used your mouthwash, and you may need to swill your mouth with water to get rid of this residue, which could be an inconvenience for some.
Can’t Be Used On Its Own
If you thought you could get away with using mouthwash as your sole means of cleaning your teeth, you couldn’t be more wrong, as mouthwash can’t effectively promote oral health on its own, as there are spots in your mouth that it isn’t able to penetrate.
This is especially relevant for that stubborn plaque that already exists and can cause further problems if left to develop, and again, you might be seeing your dentist more often this way.
Can Remove Healthy Oral Microbiome
Whatever type of mouthwash you use, there’s a chance that it may kill off a high amount of bacteria in your mouth, but not all of this bacteria is bad, and certain types can help you break down food and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
So maybe using mouthwash on a daily basis might not be the most effective method, but instead, you could opt for gentler antiseptic formulas found in brands such as Ecolab and some Listerine products.
Could Make Irritability Worse
There are ingredients in some mouthwashes that create a foaming effect which can affect those who are prone to developing canker sores, which could worsen or cause an outbreak if mouthwash is being continually used.
You might also find these ingredients in some toothpaste, teeth whitening products, and mouthwash, so you’re looking for the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate, which you might want to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When Shouldn’t You Use Mouthwash?
Any child that is under six shouldn’t use mouthwash as they may be more prone to swallowing large amounts of it, which could cause problems in itself, and if they are over this age, you should go for child-friendly versions that don’t contain any alcohol.
You should also avoid using mouthwash if you have a weaker immune system, are undergoing chemotherapy, or if using mouthwash causes the sores in your mouth to worsen or spread even more.
Can You Use Mouthwash With Braces?
Using mouthwash with braces is recommended as it can be a safe and effective addition to your cleaning routine, as long as it’s a fluoride-fortified mouthwash so that you can rinse after your brushing, that can keep braces clean, especially after eating.
If you’ve gone to the effort to have braces fitted, you want to follow this up by having healthy as well as aligned teeth, and your dentist can recommend types that you can use after your braces have been fitted.
What Mouthwash Is The Most Effective?
It all depends on what aspect of your oral health you feel you want to see improvement in, as Listerine total care sensitivity can be good for those who don’t like the sting of traditional mouthwashes.
There are many Colgate lines, such as their Plax soft mint range which is a practical, alcohol-free mouthwash, or if you have issues with your gums, you could use Corsodyl daily, which you can use as part of your cleaning routine.
Conclusion
With all this in mind, you might be wondering whether Colgate swish is a good alternative, and while we see there are benefits to a naturally made flavour, there are going to be those who either don’t like the taste or don’t see a difference after they’ve used it.
Whichever flavour you decide to use, it should benefit you however you use it and should leave you feeling refreshed and ready to start your day in the best way possible.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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