Mouthwash as an Antiseptic in Maintaining Oral Health

Thrush is one of the most common inflammatory diseases affecting the area around the mouth. Talking about the effect, the appearance of canker sores often interfere with the sufferers' daily activities. Luckily, coping with canker sores is usually enough to do with mouthwash.

Inflammation in canker sores usually affects the mucous membranes and lips. When attacking, this disease can be followed by the appearance of sores in the mouth area, although not always so. Some common causes of canker sores include infection, malnutrition, and allergic reactions, and radiotherapy.

Reasons for Effective Mouthwash Overcoming Sprue

To treat canker sores, actually gargling with mouthwash is considered effective. However, until now the habit of gargling is still rarely done by most of our society. In fact, mouthwash is one of the oral health care products that acts as an antiseptic.


Aside from being an antiseptic, mouthwash can also be used to kill plaque-causing bacteria that can cause cavities, gum inflammation, and bad breath. The use of mouthwash itself is needed because in some cases, brushing and using dental floss is not yet effective enough to maintain dental and oral health.

The effectiveness of mouthwash to eradicate canker sores has at least been supported by a study conducted between 1987 and 1990. The study revealed that the use of mouthwash Povidone iodine was considered effective in preventing canker sores. The study itself involved 26 patients consisting of 19 men and 7 women with an average age of 53 years. The participants in this study were patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or commonly abbreviated as AML.


The evidence produced is also supported by an open study. This study tried to prove the benefits of mouthwash containing Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) to cure canker sores that arise due to radiocemotherapy. The patients involved in this study were given standard measures to prevent the spread of disease through nystatin, dexpanthenol, rutoside and immunoglobulin.

Then the patients were divided into two groups. The first group received povidone-iodine mouthwash, while the other group was only given sterile water. Statistically, positive results were obtained in the group using Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) mouthwash as patients were able to reduce the incidence, severity and duration of canker sores while undergoing antineoplastic radiocemotherapy therapy.

Recommended Criteria for Mouthwash

Mouthwash for canker sores can be various. However, those with Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) and non-alcoholic substances are considered to have advantages. This has been proven by a study conducted to measure the effectiveness of three types of mouthwash. Other mouthwashes tested were those that were alcohol free with a content of 0.12 percent chlorhexidine and mouthwash containing no alcohol containing salt or soda.


This study was attended by 80 patients who were undergoing antineoplasty radiotherapy. There are 76 patients who completed the study and the results are increasingly convincing research on the ability of the mouthwash Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) in combating canker sores. The result was concluded that alcohol-free mouthwash made from povidone-iodine can reduce the severity and delay the appearance of canker sores caused by antineoplasty radiotherapy.

Other benefits of mouthwash

Aside from being proven effective in treating canker sores as evidenced by various studies, it turns out mouthwash is also useful to prevent several other diseases. A study conducted in 2005 successfully confirmed this. It was stated that gargling three times a day with water or with a mouthwash Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) effectively prevent respiratory infections or ARI. In addition, routine rinsing with mouthwash Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) can also reduce the severity of symptoms if it has been attacked by ARI.


On the other hand, even though it has not been scientifically proven to prevent flu, it can at least relieve symptoms of flu and sore throat. The role of mouthwash as an antiseptic liquid can also prevent bacteria from the mouth from invading internal organs, such as the throat, stomach, and lungs.

Given the benefits of Povidone-Iodine mouthwash (PVP-I) not just to treat canker sores, but also effective in preventing ARI and alleviating the symptoms of flu and sore throat, then the oral cavity with the mouthwash products should be accustomed from now on.


Apart from that, don't forget that brushing your teeth and treating dental floss are still the best steps in maintaining oral health. As a complement, use mouthwash. The sooner you get used to the use of mouthwash, the oral health and body health are easier to maintain overall. What are you waiting for? Immediately clean your mouth with mouthwash.

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