Grow Up Smiling!

Children’s Mouth Rinses—Are They Safe?

From breath freshening to cavity prevention, mouth rinses and mouthwashes claim to improve your child’s oral hygiene. But are these products really a good choice for your family?

For children under the age of 6, the answer is usually no. Youngsters can’t really handle the responsibility of properly swishing and spitting.

For older children, however, mouth rinses and mouthwashes specifically for children are a great option. These typically do not contain alcohol. There are even products made from naturally derived ingredients for those who are trying to avoid chemicals. Children’s products also come in child-friendly flavors, making the mouth rinse and mouthwash portion of your child’s dental routine a treat.

These children’s products usually fall into one of three categories: fluoride/anticavity mouthwashes, breath-freshening mouthwashes, and mouth rinses that color the teeth to make brushing more fun and effective. The latter type is usually used before your child brushes, turning the teeth a colored hue so your child can see where he or she needs to brush.

Mouthwashes are made to act as a final, thorough step in the dental routine, rinsing away any leftover debris or bacteria. They also may contain fluoride and other anticavity, antibacterial ingredients that help prevent decay. Children undergoing orthodontic treatment may find mouthwashes especially beneficial, because they can reach spots that brushing alone cannot.

To make sure your children are using mouth rinse and mouthwash safely, stick to products designed for their age group. Show your children how to use mouthwash by demonstrating how to swish and spit, rather than swallow, and let them know why it’s unsafe to ingest the rinse. The major risk of using these rinses is fluoride overdose, which can result in white stains forming on the teeth, or in the worst case, severe illness. By monitoring your children’s mouth rinse and mouthwash use, you can avoid accidental ingestion and make them a positive addition to your children’s oral health routine.

Using mouth rinse and mouthwash is an easy way for your children to achieve and maintain good oral health. Just be sure to choose the right ones. Our clinical staff at KiDDS Dental can help you show your children how to use them and avoid risk.

We'd love to meet you and your family! Give us a call at (509)-891-7070 to schedule today.