What's the difference between antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwashes?

Dear Reader, 

In a sea of mouthwash labels, finding the perfect one for you may seem like a tricky task. Companies use the label antibacterial when the product only fights against bacteria—one type of microbe—and use antiseptic when it targets a variety of microbes. Learning about these labels, and others, such as antimicrobial, alcohol-containing, therapeutic, and cosmetic, may make it easier for you to decide on a mouthwash purchase. It may also be beneficial to narrow down your choices to products approved by the American Dental Association and to have an idea of which ingredients to look out for. Continue reading to learn more about the various types of mouthwash out there! 

What is mouthwash used for? 

Mouthwash is a product used to promote daily oral hygiene. They’re often used in addition to brushing and flossing your teeth. Certain mouthwashes may have different hygiene purposes, ranging from fighting bad breath to disease prevention and treatment.  

What are the different types of mouthwash? 

Mouthwashes come in all colors and sizes, each with its own benefits. Some types of mouthwash to look out for include: 

• Antibacterial: This product fights against bacteria. 
• Antiseptic or antimicrobial: These products fight against different types of microbes, often including bacteria. 
• Alcohol containing: Both nonalcoholic and alcoholic mouthwashes are effective at gingivitis and plaque prevention. However, be aware that alcohol-based mouthwash can lead to more cell damage than nonalcoholic mouthwash.  
• Therapeutic: These mouthwashes are used to control or treat diseases and conditions, including tooth decay, gingivitis, plaque, and bad breath. 
• Cosmetic: Mouthwash with this label is used for its temporary benefit of relieving bad breath. Rather than targeting the microbes or conditions that may be causing the scent itself, it simply masks it. 

While there are plenty of over-the-counter mouthwashes available for purchase, some targeting specific conditions may require a prescription. If you’re concerned about your oral health or feel that a prescription mouthwash would be more effective, it’s recommended that you discuss further with a health care professional or dentist.  

What should you pay attention to when purchasing mouthwash? 

In addition to looking out for the labels that products use, making sure your products have an American Dental Association Seal may also be useful. This seal means that experts have evaluated the product’s safety and efficacy.  

You may also choose to look at the ingredients list when making your purchase. If a product is therapeutic, rather than cosmetic, it will likely include ingredients such as: 

• Fluoride 
• Peroxide 
• Cetylpyridinium chloride  
• Chlorhexidine 
• Essential oils 

List adapted from American Dental Association 

That said, relying on ingredients lists may not be very time-efficient and can be confusing for some. Therefore, knowing how to interpret the labels and researching the company may be more beneficial when trying to make a purchase.  

Best of luck finding the perfect mouthful of mouthwash!