A great many conventional mouthwashes are alcohol based, which is what makes them sting and can leave the mouth drier afterwards – not ideal, since saliva is what protects teeth between brushings.
This one is alcohol free and built on aloe vera. It is a gentler proposition, and the obvious choice if the burn of a conventional mouthwash is what has put you off using one.
This is fluoride free, and you should buy it knowing that. Fluoride is the ingredient with the strongest evidence behind it in oral care, and if you use fluoride-free products throughout you are choosing to go without that.
Many people use a fluoride toothpaste and prefer a gentler mouthwash, which is a perfectly sensible combination. Your dentist is the person to ask about what suits your teeth.
Mouthwash is an addition to brushing and flossing, not a replacement for either, and no rinse removes plaque the way a brush does.
Do not rinse straight after brushing with a fluoride toothpaste – you wash the fluoride off your teeth. Use mouthwash at a different time of day instead. If you have bleeding gums or persistent problems, see your dentist rather than buying another rinse.
FAQ
Is this mouthwash fluoride free?
Yes. Fluoride has the strongest evidence behind it in oral care, so buy it knowing that and ask your dentist what suits you.
Why alcohol free?
Alcohol-based rinses sting and can leave the mouth drier, and saliva is what protects teeth between brushings.
Should I rinse after brushing?
Not with mouthwash straight after a fluoride toothpaste – you rinse the fluoride away. Use it at a different time of day.
