When you walk down the oral care aisle at the store, you’re faced with a sea of products. It can be overwhelming, from fluoride-rich toothpaste to expanding floss, whitening strips, and more. Finding the right oral care product to fit into your everyday routine can be difficult. One product you may find especially difficult to choose from is mouthwash. 

Is there a difference between antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash, and are these differences enough to truly impact your oral health? In this blog, we’ll discuss the key differences between antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash to help you determine which is best for helping you reach your oral health goals. 

Understanding Antiseptic and Antibacterial Mouthwash

Understanding the key differences is important when determining which mouthwash is best for your current oral health condition. If you have been experiencing oral health infections and are trying to limit your risk of reinfection, antiseptic mouthwash may be best for you. Antiseptic products are designed to kill specific bacteria or antimicrobial agents. Comparatively, antibacterial mouthwash is designed to address a broad range of bacteria that are responsible for current infections. 

Which is Best for Your Oral Health?

Determining whether antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash is best for your oral health will depend on your current health condition. If you are trying to choose between antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash, consider the following: 

Use antiseptic mouthwash if: 

• You are dealing with persistent, recurring oral infections
• You have gum disease that is getting progressively worse
• You are experiencing chronic bad breath
• You have a dry socket from wisdom tooth removal

Use antibacterial mouthwash if:

• You want to maintain your current oral health condition
• You are trying to prevent tooth decay
• You need to freshen your breath after a meal
• You want to soothe symptoms of dry mouth

Should You Use Mouthwash With or Without Alcohol?

Whether you choose to use antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash, one additional ingredient you should keep in mind is alcohol. You might think alcohol in mouthwash is inherently bad. However, this ingredient plays a major role in helping people reach their oral health goals. Alcohol is found in many bacteria-fighting mouthwash, making it great if you want to address excessive bacteria in your mouth.

However, mouthwash with alcohol isn’t best for everyone. If you are dealing with chronic dry mouth, using a mouthwash with alcohol in it may not be your best choice. These products can also be especially aggravating if you have mouth sores, like canker sores or ulcers. Some people may also choose to avoid products with alcohol if it causes burning or discomfort during use. 

How Often Should You Use Mouthwash? 

While using mouthwash can be beneficial to improving your oral health, you may wonder how frequently you are supposed to use this product. Ultimately, how often you use mouthwash will vary depending on your oral health needs. You may only need to use it once a day, while others may find that using it twice a day is best for freshening your breath. 

However, it is important to note that using these products no more than twice a day is not recommended. Overusing mouthwash can irritate the soft tissue in your mouth or cause chronic dry mouth, which can exacerbate bad breath. If you are unsure whether you are using mouthwash appropriately, it is best to consult your trusted dental team. 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Oral Hygiene Routine

You might think that you’re following the perfect oral health routine. But are you using products appropriately? In some cases, you may find that you aren’t using these products at the right point in the process. If you want to keep your teeth looking and feeling their best, follow these steps:

1. Use a tongue scraper to remove any tough debris and bacteria.
2. If you oil pull, do this after scraping your tongue but before any other steps.
3. Floss with physical floss or a water flosser to remove food, plaque, and bacteria. 
4. Use an antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash to remove the remaining bacteria.
5. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Brush your tongue as well. 
6. Store oral care tools to ensure they dry fully before you use them again. 

Helping You Craft Your Perfect Oral Health Routine 

Achieving your best oral health can be difficult, but it is within reach with the right oral health routine. If you need help creating the perfect oral health routine, turn to our team at Mountain View Dental for support. We’ve provided the most comprehensive oral care to patients across Northern Utah for years. 

Whether you’re scheduling your twice-yearly cleanings, cosmetic dental services, fillings, or a combination of services, our team does it all. When you choose to work with us, you can trust that you’ll achieve your brightest, healthiest smile. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to discuss your oral health, contact us today for support.