2024’s Best Mouthwash For Gums On The Market To Fight Gum Disease

Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, so if you don’t already use mouthwash to maintain dental hygiene, you might want to consider doing so.

Did you know that around 3 in 10 Australian adults have gingivitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the gums?

The common causes of gingivitis (gum disease) are:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking
• Diet lacking in nutrition
• Certain medications
• Ageing
• Systemic conditions such as diabetes and autoimmune disease

Fortunately, mouthwashes can eradicate bacteria and help maintain gum hygiene. Knowing the best mouthwash for gums can be tricky with so many mouthwashes available. Luckily, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to.

But before diving into the nitty-gritty of the best mouthwashes for gums, let’s take a closer look at gingivitis. Gum disease is usually caused by bacteria-laden plaque – a sticky white film that builds up around the teeth and gums.

Brushing and flossing twice a day helps prevent plaque from spreading but failing to adopt an effective oral health routine at home can result in consequences. Failure to remove plaque causes irritation to the gum tissue, which leads to redness, bleeding and tenderness – the classic symptoms of gum disease.

Thankfully, using an oral product such as mouthwash will kill bacteria and protect your mouth from gingivitis. Furthermore, it’s a cost-effective way to give your smile added protection.

The best mouthwash to fight gum disease should contain excellent anti-bacterial properties such as cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, and essential oils that reduce the microbial load and temporarily relieve gingivitis. It’s best to avoid mouthwash containing alcohol since alcohol can disrupt the balance of the oral microbiome and may cause more harm than good.

Numerous types of mouthwash claim to kill germs along and beneath the gum line while helping to reduce and prevent plaque and revitalise the gums. But are they really effective? Based on consumer opinions, we’ve drawn up a list of some of the best mouthwashes on the market. But before we get started, there’s something we need to make clear.

 

Mouthwash does not replace brushing

No matter what you know, or think you know about mouthwash, it is not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing. Even the best mouthwash is complimentary to that.

 

 

You should still brush for two minutes a time twice a day and floss between your teeth once. It’s the act of brushing and flossing that dislodges and removes bacteria in the mouth. Failing to brush means bacteria and food debris are left on your teeth, leading to gum disease and tooth decay.

So, without further ado, let’s return to the best mouthwash for gums.

 

Best mouthwash for gum disease overall

 

Colgate Savacol 

 

Colgate is a long-established brand that everyone knows and trusts. Aside from prescribed mouthwashes, Colgate Savacol is adept at doing its intended job.

Its main ingredient, chlorhexidine, fights microscopic organisms and harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause discomfort, pain, bleeding and inflammation. It’s very effective in helping to heal gum disease but has received mixed reviews on Product Review.com with most people complaining about its taste. But no one said medicine was supposed to taste good!

Colgate Savacol should not be used regularly unless your dentist tells you to since it can temporarily stain teeth and restorations. Instead, it’s recommended to use it for a maximum of two weeks, twice a day, allowing 30 minutes between using the mouthwash and brushing with toothpaste.

 

Pros 

• Soothes sore mouths and gums
• Acts to stop symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding
• Reduces discomfort of mouth ulcers
• Reduces dental plaque and incidences of gum disease
• Good value for money

 

Cons

• Can stain teeth
• Strong mouthwash that leaves a lingering bitter aftertaste
• Suitable only for the short-term or prescribed use
• Not an everyday mouthwash

 

Price: AU$9.49 for 300 ml

 

Best mouthwash for healthy gums

 

Therabreath Healthy Gums 

While most people hate the branding, many find themselves repurchasing Therabreath Healthy Gums oral rinse repeatedly. Formulated by dentists, this popular mouthwash does away with alcohol that stings and replaces it with cetylpyridinium chloride, making it one of the best mouthwashes for people suffering from gum-related diseases like gingivitis. The formula is designed to keep away the symptoms of gum disease and prevent plaque from accumulating around the gums.

 

Pros 

• Alcohol-free
• Fights symptoms of gum disease
• Does not irritate the gums
• No artificial colours or flavours
• Controls bad breath
• Prevents the build-up of plaque

 

Cons

• Not ideal for people who already have an infection or tooth pain
• Not suitable for people with leukaemia
• May cause slight stinging if there is a mouth ulcer or other oral infection
• Can lead to red or swollen gums

 

Price: AU$39.95 for 473 ml

 

Best mouthwash for sensitive gums 

 

Listerine Gum Care Zero Alcohol Antibacterial Mouthwash

Listerine is another popular brand with a wide range of best mouthwashes for different gum issues. Listerine is designed to protect healthy gums and, due to the absence of alcohol, is an excellent choice for anyone with sensitive gums. According to the label on the bottle, Listerine Gum Care Zero helps kill the germs lurking in the remaining 75% of the mouth that brushing and flossing can’t reach. Not only does this mouthwash help reduce plaque, but you’ll also benefit from long-lasting fresh breath.

 

Pros

• Tastes good
• Visually appealing
• Not too harsh
• Gentle mint flavour

 

Cons

• Not to be used by children under 12

 

Cost: AU$11.99 for 1 litre

 

Best natural mouthwash for gums 

 

Dr Tung’s Rejuv For Gums

Okay, so strictly speaking, this isn’t mouthwash. It is, however, an all-natural gum remedy that conditions sore and receding gums – a sort of targeted mouthwash that is a natural gingivitis treatment.

Dr Tung’s Rejuv contains a whopping 24 plants and herbs chosen for their healing and strengthening properties. It’s recommended for many oral conditions, from swollen or bleeding gums to receding gums and oral pain. Some people have also mentioned that it tightened loose teeth.

Some of its plants and botanicals, like ficus benghalensis and cassia, have an astringent quality that helps soothe and heal gum tissue, while the sesame oil base is said to help revitalise the gums and alleviate dry mouth. Rejuv also removes bacteria from the mouth, leaving it fresh and rejuvenated.

 

Pros

• Dentist recommended
• Removes bacteria
• Hygienic
• Antimicrobial effects
• Freshens the breath

 

Cons

• Relatively expensive

 

Price: AU$30.o5 for 50 ml

 

Best Mouthwash For The Over 55’s

 

Closy’s Silver Multi-Benefit Rinse

Certified by the American Dental Association, Closy’s Silver is specially formulated for adults 55+. The gentle mint mouthwash is simple and effective because it contains Cloralstan, a powerful patented ingredient that kills 99% of harmful oral bacteria in ten seconds.

As adults age, oral health tends to deteriorate. Gum health suffers, teeth weaken, and the mouth becomes more sensitive. Closy’s Silver with fluoride is designed to fight cavities in the 55+ age group and strengthen tooth enamel without irritation or burning.

 

Pros

• Everyday oral rinse
• pH balanced and alcohol-free
• Can be used to manage gum disease, bad breath, sores, and dry mouth
• Ideal for chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients
• The gentle formula promotes oral wellness and eliminates bad breath

 

Cons

• Only available in 473 ml bottles
• A little more expensive than most other mouthwashes

 

Price: AUS36.99

 

Best Budget Mouthwash 

 

Colgate Dry Mouth Relief Alcohol-Free Mouthwash 

Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands cannot produce sufficient saliva to keep your mouth moist. The condition happens for many reasons, including stress, medications, smoking, and genetics. Dry mouth is an uncomfortable condition that can lead to gum disease. Thankfully Colgate Dry Mouth Relief works to reduce dryness levels and has been proven to relieve the condition for up to four hours at a time.

 

Pros

• Prevents tooth decay
• Enhances hydration
• Reverses dry mouth, which causes gingivitis
• Alcohol-free formula
• Reduces periodontal disease
• Prevents the build-up of plaque and tartar
• Whitens teeth

 

Cons

• May not be suitable for people with allergies
• If accidentally swallowed, you must seek medical help immediately

 

Price: AU$11.49 for 473 ml

 

So that brings us to the end of our list of the best mouthwashes for gums and gingivitis.

 

The takeaway

Daily brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and keeping troublesome gum disease at bay. Rinsing the mouth with mouthwash is the perfect way to round off your oral care routine, as it helps destroy the bacteria that brushing and flossing cannot reach.

Gingivitis, the early sign of gum disease, is easily preventable by upping your oral routine and incorporating mouthwash into the equation. We’ve researched and found the best mouthwash for gums, so all you have to do is pick your favourite and start using it at least twice a day to improve your oral health. With good oral hygiene and the best mouthwash, you can easily reverse the symptoms of gingivitis at this early stage and stop it from getting worse.

Plaque can play havoc with your teeth and gums, but you can send it packing with a decent mouthwash. If you’re suffering from gum disease, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment or call us on 02 9051 0600 today with the friendly, experienced dentists at Dental 266 Burwood.

 

 

 

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/den/231/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/healthy-mouths

ColgatePalmolive.com –  Our History
https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/who-we-are/history