Abstract:
Patients often ask oral health care practitioners to recommend
the “best” mouthwash for their specific needs and
desires. Considering the vast array of products available,
the number of television, radio and printed media advertisements,
and the promotional campaigns from dental
representatives, selecting and recommending a single
product can be daunting. As a result, advice and selection
are often based on personal preferences, and may
not identify a mouthwash most suitable for the specific
needs of a particular patient. This study was undertaken
to investigate the range, availability, advertised indications
and ingredients of all the mouthwashes on offer in
six large supermarket chains in Gauteng. After identifying
all the available over-the-counter mouthwashes on sale,
a descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken. The
advertised indications for use, active ingredients, mode of
action and cost of the collected samples were compared.
The results may help clinicians have a better understanding
of the range, nature and characteristics of a selection
from each brand enabling a recommendation of the most
suitable product to meet each individual need.
