According to “Öko-Test”, mouthwashes can contribute to good dental hygiene. Many products are convincing – but three of them fail to score.
It would have been too good to be true, but using mouthwashes is no substitute for brushing your teeth. Or even a visit to the dentist. But for good cleaning results, the rinses can be a useful addition to dental care, as Öko-Test found when examining 27 cosmetic mouthwashes with fluoride from drugstores, (organic) supermarkets and discounters, including 6 products certified as natural cosmetics. The prices range between 0.83 and 8.24 euros per 500 milliliters.
In fact, the testers can recommend more than half of them, including all natural cosmetic products. This is because mouthwashes containing fluoride actually have a caries-preventing effect. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, remineralizes the tooth surface and makes it more resistant to acids and bacteria. The providers adhere to the maximum amounts recommended by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
“Öko-Test”: Three flushes are “inadequate”
Furthermore, mouthwashes have been proven to help remove plaque better than mechanical cleaning with a toothbrush and floss. Plaque consists of saliva, bacteria and food residue and is largely responsible for the development of tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. Antibacterial agents such as cetylpyridinium chloride and essential oils such as menthol, thymol and eucalyptol have been proven to help remove plaque. This also applies to the zinc and tin compounds contained in many mouthwashes.
However, not all of the active ingredients in the mouthwashes tested convinced the testers. In addition to the promise of effectiveness, Öko-Test was also interested in whether questionable substances were used. This is the case with a number of products – the mouthwashes Listerine Cool Mint Mild, Lacalut Aktiv and Parodontax Repair received an overall rating of “unsatisfactory”.
The Listerine and Parodontax mouthwashes contain, among other things, the aggressive surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate sensitive mucous membranes. Lacalut contains chlorhexidine, which can lead to discoloration, a burning sensation in the mouth and increased tartar formation. However, the effects are reversible. In addition, all three products contain PEG/PEG derivatives, which can make the mucous membrane more permeable to foreign substances.
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Apart from that, the testers can recommend more than half of the products tested for occasional use, including all natural cosmetic products. The best and cheapest mouthwash solutions included the very good Dentabella Antibacterial Mouthwash from Norma (0.83 euros) and the Dontodent Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash from DM (0.83 euros).
This article first appeared on n-tv.de
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
