The Nugget
- Mouthwashes typically contain a water-glycerine mixture along with sweeteners, surfactants, preservatives, flavoring agents, sodium fluoride, and essential oils, aiming to enhance oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. However, its effectiveness and side effects vary depending on the substances used, prompting considerations around necessity and scientific evidence in their formulation.
Key quotes
- "We recommend not to multiply individual mouthwash products and their ingredients beyond medical (or pharmaceutical) necessity, especially without scientific proof."
- "Ethanol itself is not genotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic. Nevertheless, acetaldehyde (ACH), the first metabolite of EtOH, is a carcinogen."
- "Zinc ions present antibacterial properties and are used as an antiplaque agent."
- "A typical mouthwash on the market is a water–glycerine mixture, consisting of an additional sweetener (saccharin), surfactant (PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil), preservative (sodium benzoate), some colourant and flavouring agent, as well as having two oral health substances, an anticaries compound (sodium fluoride, around 217–250 parts per million) and antimicrobial drug (essential oils)."
Protocol
- The study involved a market search for mouthwashes in Poland, extraction of compositions, and assessment of the functions of ingredients.
- The analysis grouped ingredients according to their main functions, among them oral health substances, solvents, surfactants, and sweeteners.
- Limitations: There is no certainty that every product was found or that indicated properties are consistently observed, relying on producer-supplied compositions.
Terminology
- Acetaldehyde (ACH): A carcinogenic metabolite of ethanol.
- Stannous fluoride: A compound of fluorine with potential benefits for oral health but instability in water solutions.
- PEGylated oils: Derivatives of polyethylene glycol used as surfactants in mouthwashes.
- Zinc compounds: Used in mouthwashes for their antibacterial properties and other oral health benefits.
Key insights
Sodium Bicarbonate in Mouthwashes
- Sodium Bicarbonate is versatile, offering neutralization of acids, antimicrobial effects, and potential for novel applications in mouthwash formulations.
Essential Oils’ Role
- Essential oils such as Menthol and Eucalyptus feature predominantly for their antimicrobial properties and as flavor enhancers.
Controversy and Benefits of Ethanol
- Ethanol acts as a solvent and antiseptic but raises concerns about oral cancer risk due to acetaldehyde production.
Efficacy of Stannous Fluoride
- Stannous fluoride provides benefits beyond anticaries, including antibacterial effects and enamel protection, but its instability in aqueous solutions limits its use.
Glycerine and Propylene Glycol
- Both compounds act as solvents and have their respective uses and effects in mouthwash formulations, with propylene glycol often replacing ethanol.
Make it stick
- 🧪 Sodium Bicarbonate: More than just baking soda, it's a mouthwash multitasker for neutralizing acids and fighting microbes.
- 🌿 Essential Oils: Nature's gift for antimicrobial defense and flavor in your mouthwash.
- 🍺 Ethanol's Double Edge: Sanitizes but beware, it may invite unwelcome guests — acetaldehyde.
- ⚗️ Stannous Fluoride: A dental superhero for protection and prevention, if only it liked water more.
This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.