It looks terrible with plaques on the teeth, it smells miserable with a bad breath and it feels painful with cavities in the teeth. Still most of the people shy away from these problems and never take proper initiatives to get rid of these menaces to get a flawless oral health. Many of them think it is enough to brush the teeth twice daily to maintain the oral health. But the truth of the matter is that, you have to follow a regular regimen to clean between your teeth and for that you need the help of the mouthwashes.

There are many different mouthwash products available today. It is important to find out the product which is suitable for your particular needs and, for that you have to learn about the different types and categories of mouthwashes meant to serve specific purposes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has divided the entire range of mouthwashes in three broad categories:

-Cosmetic

-Therapeutic

-A combination of the two

Cosmetic

Cosmetic rinses are commercial over-the-counter (OTC) products. They are typically used after brushing to help remove oral debris. They provide a temporary solution that lasts from at least 10 minutes to maximum three hours. However, by reducing bacteria from the mouth, they suppress bad breath and leave your mouth with a pleasant taste after eating. These are mostly fluoride based mouthwashes.

Therapeutic

The therapeutic grade mouthwashes are stronger in their action; in addition to serve all the purposes of OTC mouthwashes, they are empowered with other active ingredients that fight against some oral diseases. In order to obtain the therapeutic grade, the product must obtain the FDA approval. These mouthwashes such as Peridex or PerioGard are prescribed by dental professionals to treat oral diseases causing inflammation, swelling, and bleeding of the gums.

The therapeutic mouthwashes are again divided into two types depending on their uses:

-Antiplaque/antigingivitis rinses

-Anticavity fluoride rinses

Combination

However, there is another category of mouthwash and that incorporate the features of both the cosmetic and therapeutic products. These multi-action mouthwashes came to be known as total care or combination mouthwash. These products contain a variety of anti-bacterial ingredients that work against oral bacteria responsible for producing unpleasant odors and plaque.

Which type of mouthwash is fit for you depends on what type of oral problem you are suffering from? If you have been experiencing a particular problem since long, it is better to see a dentist for obtaining the right prescription mouthwash to medically deal with the specific issue.