Author: Lizzie Smith – blog last updated on Tuesday 5th January 2024.
If you suffer from inflamed gums, it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with mouthwash after (gently) brushing and flossing. But it’s also vital to consider the ingredients of your mouthwash.
Many mouthwashes for inflamed gums contain aggressive antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Although these ingredients kill the harmful bacteria that cause inflammation, they also affect the natural balance in the oral cavity. In the long run, this is bad for your teeth and oral health and can ultimately contribute to gum infections.
An article in Nature couldn’t actually provide an explanation as to why there’s still alcohol in mouthwash. Its benefit turned out to be negligible. Another commonly used antibacterial agent is triclosan. When using it, you run the risk of your teeth turning brown, which is something nobody wants!
Apart from alcohol and other antiseptics, these mouthwashes usually contain many more harmful ingredients. We’re talking about the foaming agent SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate), parabens, phthalates and unnecessary colours and flavours.
Fortunately, there are alternatives – mouthwashes that kill harmful bacteria effectively without unpleasant side effects. These mouthwashes neutralise the acidity in your mouth and don’t dry out the soft tissues in your mouth. Instead of disrupting the natural balance of the oral flora, they support it by allowing the beneficial microbes to live. For this reason, unlike others, you can use the mouthwashes below indefinitely.
Here are the 5 best mouthwashes for inflamed gums:
1. JuliBrite Mouthwash
JuliBrite Mouthwash fights harmful bacteria with its unique formula of active oxygen molecules and zinc generated by honey. The body’s own enzyme, hyaluronan, has an unprecedented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, which helps to repair inflamed gums as quickly as possible.
JuliBrite Mouthwash contains xylitol. This natural sweetener has several valuable effects on your teeth and oral cavity. It’s more difficult for bacteria to adhere to your tooth enamel, like plaque, and it reduces the acidity in the oral cavity.
The fresh taste of xylitol stimulates saliva production, the natural protection against harmful bacteria. It’s ideal if you want to treat inflamed gums!
In short, the formula of JuliBrite Mouthwash is ideally suited to care for your gums and oral tissues. In addition, your teeth are also cleaned and protected, and your breath is freshened. All in a mouth-friendly way that supports the natural balance of the oral flora.
2. RyttPro Mouthwash
RyttPro Mouthwash takes a different approach but is also based on a mouth-friendly bacteria-fighting method. It’s based on the powerful combination of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), zinc and stabilised chlorine dioxide.
CPC is a very effective agent that can kill bacteria, fungi and even some viruses. The substance penetrates the microbe’s cell membrane, causing a leak in the microbe. However, the beneficial microbes are left undisturbed, so the balance of the oral flora is not disturbed. Zinc also only fights harmful bacteria.
And then there’s the stabilised chlorine dioxide. The more harmful bacteria in your oral cavity, the more acidic your saliva. And the more acidic the saliva, the more chlorine dioxide is converted into oxygen to kill them. This substance has been used for drinking water purification for decades. Chlorine dioxide is harmless to us and the beneficial microbes in your mouth. The substance only eliminates the harmful bacteria and neutralises their smelly sulphur gases through oxidation.
3. Oxyfresh Mouthwash Lemon mint
The wonderfully fresh Oxyfresh Lemon Mint Mouthwash also works with active oxygen and zinc formula. Both ingredients effectively tackle harmful anaerobic bacteria and their smelly sulphur gases. Although effective, these ingredients have no side effects. They’re entirely mouth-friendly, which means they support the balance in the oral cavity and don’t disrupt it, unlike mouthwashes with alcohol or triclosan.
Several beneficial supporting ingredients have been added to the active but safe bacteria-killing ingredients. Xylitol makes it more difficult for bacteria to stick to your enamel and form plaque. This helps to prevent caries (cavities). The acidity in the mouth is also reduced, so minerals from food are better absorbed by your tooth enamel, which also contributes to the prevention of caries.
OxyFresh Mouthwash Lemon Mint has a pleasant fresh taste that stimulates the salivary glands. More saliva supports the oral flora and helps remove harmful bacteria.
It also contains aloe vera, which cares for the gums and helps to repair inflamed gums. Together with the effective yet mouth-friendly approach to harmful bacteria, this is a suitable mouthwash for treating or preventing inflamed gums.
4. JuliBrite Whitening Mouthwash
For lovers of pure nature, JuliBrite Whitening Mouthwash is ideal for treating or preventing inflamed gums. The natural formula is based on the bacteria-fighting properties of coconut oil, sea salt and activated charcoal.
Aloe Vera and deacidified vitamin C have been added and are ideal for caring for your gums and helping against gingivitis. To top it all off, your teeth will become whiter naturally thanks to the coconut oil and the pigment-free, activated charcoal.
5. RyttPro Healthy Gums Kit
A complete package to treat inflamed gums, RyttPro toothpaste and mouthwash are both based on the powerful formula OZ-3X. This combination of stabilised chlorine dioxide, zinc and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) effectively combats bacteria whilst respecting the oral flora.
With RyttPro Toothpaste Magic Mint, you fight the harmful bacteria that are part of dental plaque and are responsible for inflamed gums. RyttPro Oral Rinse is suitable for rinsing away the last remnants of plaque after brushing, flossing or interdental teeth.
The products stabilise the acidity of the oral cavity and don’t contain harmful substances such as phthalates, parabens, flavourings or colouring agents.
The RyttPro Healthy Gums Kit also contains two useful tools to treat mildly inflamed gums. You can use the mouthguard to allow the toothpaste to penetrate the affected area. And you can use the jaw syringe to spray the mouthwash directly onto the inflammation.
Finally
To prevent or treat inflamed gums, there’s a lot more you can do than just use a good mouthwash. Remove your (visible) tartar and regularly visit a dentist or dental hygienist for dental cleaning. Pay attention to your brushing technique and ask for instructions if necessary. It’s also a good idea to clean not only your teeth but also your tongue daily.
If you can’t resolve your inflamed gums, consult a dentist or dental hygienist immediately. The same applies if you suffer from more advanced gum disease.
Sources
Nature, British Dental Journal: Are alcohol-containing mouthwashes safe?
Nature, Britsh Dental Journal: An update on the efficacy of mouthwash use