Which children should use mouthwash
Mouthwash is not usually required for most children, but a fluoride mouthwash can be beneficial for children with a high risk of tooth decay or toothwear from acid erosion.
Fluoride mouthwashes are only suitable for children ages 6 and above, who are competent at spitting out and not swallowing the mouthwash.
When and how should children use mouthwash
A fluoride mouthwash should not be used straight after brushing because this will wash away the fluoride toothpaste. Children should be encouraged to brush for 2 minutes, then spit out the toothpaste but not rinse.
A fluoride mouthwash should be used at 2 separate times to brushing – ideally after meals, or perhaps upon arriving home from school and again after their evening meal.
Which mouthwash should kids use
Kids aged 6 and over can use any fluoride mouthwash, but they tend to prefer a milder flavour.
- Listerine Smart Rinse comes in a strawberry flavour and has 100ppm of fluoride.
- Waken offer a strawberry mint flavour mouthwash with 250ppm of fluoride.
- Colgate’s Fluorigard mouthwash comes as an alcohol free version with a mild mint flavour and 225ppm of fluoride.
Leave feedback about the information on this page