Dupont Dental - Your Washington DC Dentist


  Contact : 1234 19th Street NW Suite 604 | Call us: 202.296.7714

All Posts in Category: Fluoride

Comments Off on Fluoride vs Antiseptic Mouthwash – Who Wins and Why?
fluoride vs antiseptic mouthwash

Fluoride vs Antiseptic Mouthwash – Who Wins and Why?

Posted by

Mouthwash is an element of dental care that doesn’t seem to have the same level of respect as some others. In fact, about 52 percent of Americans don’t realize that using mouthwash provides valuable benefits to both their dental and overall health. While it’s true that brushing and flossing are arguably the most important steps you can take to care for your teeth at home, it’s highly recommended that you add the use of mouthwash to your daily routine.

What’s the Best Mouthwash for You?

With the array of mouth rinse options available today, it can be difficult to know which one is the right one for you. The list below can help you sort out the ones that are available to help any dental issues or health concerns you might have.

Bad Breath

Bad breath is often a reason why people might consider using mouthwash. If that is your primary reason, and you don’t have significant tooth decay or gum disease, the best mouthwash for you will be one that contains zinc and chlorine. This is because these ingredients help defuse the sulfur compounds that cause foul smells.

Also, some mouth rinses contain cetyl pyridinium, a germicide that helps fight gum disease while also helping to fight plaque. These tend to taste better than antibacterial mouthwashes.

Gum Disease

If you are also concerned about fighting gingivitis — perhaps better known as the first stage of gum disease — as well as bad breath, it’s better to look for an antibacterial mouthwash that contains certain ingredients. Products that contain methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, thymol, and menthol are the only ones that have earned the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA) because of their effectiveness when it comes to reducing plaque and gum disease. In fact, studies have shown that using an antibacterial mouth rinse could slash the number of bacteria in your mouth by 75 percent on average.

Periodontitis

If you have periodontitis, it’s likely that you’ll need a prescription mouthwash. Periodontitis occurs when gum disease has advanced to a serious infection. This infection destroys the bone that provides the support that teeth need to be healthy and functional.

A prescription mouthwash contains chlorhexidine as its active ingredient. Chlorhexidine has been proven to have greater antibacterial properties than the ingredients that are found in mouthwash brands that can be purchased over the counter. In addition to the fact that most prescription mouthwashes contain alcohol, the chlorhexidine they also contain can stain your teeth brown. For this reason, prescription mouthwashes require close monitoring by a dentist.

To get the best results out of using mouthwash, it’s important to know about the health of your mouth. By visiting your dentist as recommended, you have a regular assessment of your oral health and can choose your mouthwash accordingly. At Dupont Dental, we can perform a thorough dental checkup and make a recommendation regarding the best mouthwash for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Read More
Comments Off on Bottled Water, Your Teeth, and Fluoride
bottled water vs tap water

Bottled Water, Your Teeth, and Fluoride

Posted by

Americans drink an average of 30 gallons of bottled water each year. Water is essential for washing away cavity-causing bacteria and diluting harmful acids that wear away enamel. Water also prevents dry mouth which can increase your risk of tooth decay. Most importantly, water is calorie-free, sugar-free, and can be drunk in abundance without harming your teeth. While water is critical for oral health, bottled water isn’t considered up to par with its supplemented counterpart.

Unsatisfactory Bottling Standards

Bottled water is a popular beverage choice for hydration due to its quality, safety, great taste, and convenience. However, while it’s deemed a food product by the Food and Drug Administration, the standards set by the FDA are not as strict as you would think. Bottled water has been found to harbor several hazardous chemicals including Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in the formation of plastic water bottles.

Fluoride in Minuscule Levels

Another major issue with water bottle use is the absence of fluoride. Unlike tap water that contains supplemental fluoride designed to prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks, bottled water often lacks suitable levels of this mineral. This lack of fluoride is especially hazardous to children with developing teeth. However, not all bottled water is devoid of fluoride. Fluorinated bottled water is now available to encourage bottle-drinkers to drink enough fluorinated water.

The Presence of Harmful Bacteria

Most people are drawn to bottled water for its “pureness.” However, new studies have shown that bottled water may contain more bacteria than tap water. While bottled water is not expected to be completely free from microorganisms, some brands were found to harbor up to 100 times more bacteria than the permitted limits. Contaminants in water can result in adverse health effects like gastrointestinal illnesses.

Effects on the Environment

Another major concern surrounding bottled water is its negative impact on the environment. As landfills continue to grow to colossal sizes, waste management becomes more of a concern. Americans throwing away billions of plastic water bottles has only exacerbated the problem. The good news is that some brands are doing their part to reduce waste by introducing recyclable or reusable bottles.

Bottled vs. Tap: The Final Verdict

The battle between bottled water and tap water is ongoing. However, when it comes to the health of your teeth, tap water is typically the superior choice. Tap water is cheap, safe, easily accessible, and contains fluoride to prevent tooth decay. It also contains some healthy minerals and may even taste good depending on your location. While the occasional bottle of water is not dangerous, drinking only bottled water could put your dental health at risk.

It’s important to remember that the teeth require fluoride to rinse away food debris, dilute acids, and protect against demineralization which occurs when bacteria in the mouth combines with sugars. It’s also vital to note that fluoridation does not affect the taste, appearance, or smell of drinking water. While bottled water is great when on-the-go, tap water is the ultimate choice for long-term dental health.

 

Read More