About half of all Americans experience bad breath. In our society, having bad breath is socially unacceptable. We are inundated with ads for mouth rinses, but how can you tell which ones are the best? Cochrane Researchers offer helpful advice on reading mouth rinse ingredient labels:
• Mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium do a good job of killing bacteria that cause bad breath. However, chlorhexidine can temporarily cause teeth and tongue staining, as well as temporarily alter taste.
• Mouth rinses containing chlorine dioxice and zinc work well to neutralize odors.
Talk to your dentist if you experience severe or chronic bad breath that is not helped by mouth rinses. Bad breath can be the sign of tooth decay or gum disease, which require professional treatment.