Depending on the active ingredients they contain, different types of mouth rinse can be used to prevent dental caries, periodontal disease or reduce tooth sensitivity.

Fluoride mouth rinse
Most of the fluoride mouthrinse on the market contains 0.05% Sodium Fluoride (NaF), which provides extra fluoride to the people who need it. Using it once daily will give additional protection against dental caries.

Anti-plaque mouth rinse
It inhibits plaque accumulation, thus reducing the chance of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). The active ingredients include Triclosan, Thymol, Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), etc. However, none of them have been proven to be very effective in preventing periodontal disease.

Plaque-control mouth rinse
Chlorhexidine Gluconate has been proven to have an antimicrobial effect, hence the prevention of periodontal disease. However, long term use of Chlorhexidine will stain the teeth and alter the taste sensation.

Desensitizing mouth rinse
This kind of mouth rinse contains active ingredients such as Potassium Nitrate which seals the dentinal tubules at the sensitive site, thus reduces tooth sensitivity. However, desensitizing mouthrinse is not intended for long term use. You should always consult your dentist whether you need the desensitizing mouthrinse and follow his instruction on how to use it.

B. Which type is suitable for you?

• Most people don't need to use mouth rinse. Before you choose to use mouth rinse, please seek your dentist's advice.
• For most people, as long as they thoroughly brush their teeth in the morning and before bed with fluoride toothpaste everyday, there is no need to use fluoride and anti-plaque mouth rinse.
• For people who are prone to dental caries, having severe dental caries, wearing orthodontic appliances or undergoing radiotherapy, they need to use fluoride mouth rinse according to the dentist's instructions in order to obtain additional protection against dental caries.
• Plaque-control mouth rinse is an alternative to toothbrushing, but it must be used under the dentist's instruction and only under special circumstances, e.g. after oral surgery, when toothbrushing is impossible.
• Desensitizing mouth rinse is only suitable for people with tooth sensitivity. It is advisable to consult your dentist before you choose to use it and follow his instructions in using desensitizing mouth rinse.