It’s probably the most common question dentists get: "Which mouthwash should I be using?" Or, "is this mouthwash good?"

Essential oils are extracted from plants that are known to have aromatic or healing properties. Some mouthwashes do have essential oils added to their ingredients. However, you can make your own by adding drops of essential oils to the water.Dr. Tang says that while mouthwash itself won't aggravate gingivitis, anything that's used improperly can ultimately not be good for the condition. "The recommended use is once or twice a day, but if you're using this five times a day, to a certain degree this can be problematic," she says. This can not only be irritating for the gum tissues but also impact other mouth issues like gum sores. Our results suggest that samples collected by Scope mouthwash are generally stable for most microbial metrics, but there was higher abundance of the phylum Firmicutes and lower Proteobacteria after 4 days at room temperature. Similar to our results, samples collected with mouthwash in previous studies found microbial composition was stable for 4 days and 1–2 weeks variable lengths of time [ 7, 22, 23]. One study also found an increase in relative abundance of Firmicutes and a decrease in Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria after 4 days at room temperature with Scope mouthwash samples [ 7]. Although we did not test the OMNIgene ORAL samples for stability, at least one previous study on oral collection methods found that the OMNIgene ORAL kit had similar bacterial diversity after 2–7 days of storage at room temperature [ 20]. Reviewers love the clear formula that is free from chemical coloring dyes. This ACT Mouthwash contains the maximum strength of fluoride available in rinse form without a prescription. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay.

InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Gingivitis and periodontitis: Overview.

Dry mouth is an uncomfortable condition that occurs when your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. This can be hereditary or be caused by stress, medications, or smoking. Whatever the cause, this formula by Colgate can help hydrate your mouth in between brushing. According to the label, it relieves dry mouth for up to four hours. Formulated with FDA-approved cetylpyridinium chloride, this mouthwash kills germs linked to gum disease and other periodontal problems, making it the best option for people with gingivitis. This formula also helps fight periodontitis, which is a later-stage gum disease that occurs when gingivitis is left untreated.It's free of alcohol, artificial colors, or flavors, so it won't irritate your gums. Fluoride rinses probably only have a significant effect if you are at an increased risk of dental caries and certainly should not be used as a substitute for brushing with a fluoride toothpaste—you need to do both. Fluoride-containing mouthwash should only be used for patients with high-risk tooth decay. It should be taken under direction from your dental professional.