We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hygiene

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is an Antibiotic Mouthwash?

By J. Beam
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 32,198
References
Share

There are several different kinds of mouthwash used for the purposes of preventing cavities, preventing gum disease, killing germs, and finally treating diseases of the mouth, teeth, and gums. An antibiotic mouthwash is not the same thing as an antiseptic mouthwash, which is what most people buy over-the-counter to help prevent cavities and control bad breath. Instead, it is an oral solution that contains an antibiotic medication and is usually available only by prescription.

The most common active ingredient in antibiotic mouthwash is the drug chlorhexidine, a chemical antimicrobial typically used to treat gum disease. A dentist may prescribe a chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse when signs of gum disease are present. These signs include inflammation, redness and bleeding of the gums. Other uses for antibiotic mouthwash include prevention of tooth decay and infection following oral surgery. This type of mouthwash may also be prescribed to treat ulcers or sores in the mouth.

In antiseptic mouthwash, the ingredients that do so are typically hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and thymol and are not as strong as the class of medications contained in prescription antibiotic mouthwash. Even so, both mouthwashes have the same effect — killing germs on the surface of living tissue. Unlike a prescription oral antibiotic, which is ingested and works from inside the body, antibiotic mouthwashes are not designed to be swallowed and therefore work only from the surface of the tissue. Swallowing mouthwash is never recommended and can be toxic, especially to children.

In addition to antibiotic and antiseptic mouthwash, another type of mouthwash available by prescription is a type of anti-fungal rinse. Anti-fungal mouthwash may be prescribed to treat a persistent case of thrush, which can sometimes occur as the result of taking oral antibiotics. Always discuss any type of medication used or taken, including antibiotic mouthwash, with your doctor or dentist before he or she prescribes new medication. Read warning labels and follow directions for any prescription mouthwash. Talk to your doctor or dentist if you have concerns about potential side effects, including staining of the teeth, excess calculus formation, and temporary loss or change of taste.

There are many situations and conditions for which an antibiotic mouthwash may be prescribed, but for the prevention of gum disease, cavities, and bad breath, an antiseptic mouthwash along with regular brushing and flossing is sufficient for most people. Be cautious of accidental ingestion and never intentionally swallow mouthwash. Any time an intentional amount of mouthwash is ingested, especially in children, call poison control or a doctor immediately.

Share
BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By golf07 — On Jun 01, 2012

I have always had a very dry mouth. After complaining about this for awhile, my dentist said that this is caused by a lack of saliva.

For some reason, my mouth doesn't produce as much saliva as most people, and as a result, my mouth stays very dry.

If this isn't treated, it can lead to other problems like gum disease. I use an antibiotic mouthwash every day just like most people use a regular mouthwash.

This really doesn't help me produce any more saliva, it just helps keep my mouth and gums healthy to prevent problems like gum disease.

By Mykol — On Jun 01, 2012

I wasn't even aware there was such a thing as an antibiotic mouthwash until I was prescribed one after I had my wisdom teeth removed.

The oral surgeon who removed my teeth said he usually did this as a precaution, and to make sure my mouth did not get infected after the surgery.

I only received one small bottle of this that I used until it was gone. I never had any problems and have never had to use an antibiotic mouthwash for anything since then.

I can see where something like this would be helpful in situations like this. The surgeon said a mouthwash like this is also used for people who have a physical or medical condition where they cannot brush their teeth by themselves on a regular basis.

By myharley — On May 31, 2012

For many years we didn't have any dental insurance and my husband went several years without going to the dentist. When he finally went, he had gum disease.

Even though he had been brushing his teeth, he did not floss and because he had gone so many years without removing the plaque from his teeth, he needed some special treatment.

His dentist prescribed an antibiotic mouthwash for him to use every time he brushed his teeth. In addition to the mouthwash, he was also given a topical antibiotic to put on his gums.

After using both of these products consistently for several weeks, his gums looked much healthier. Once the gum disease was cleared up, he began using an antiseptic mouthwash instead of the antibiotic one.

Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/what-is-an-antibiotic-mouthwash.htm
Copy this link
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.