Stiftung Warentest - Some mouthwashes are deficient

The price is not a reliable indicator of a good product

Many people use mouthwashes as a supplement to their daily dental care. The promises on the respective products are often similar. This does not always correspond to reality. Stiftung Warentest has tested 20 mouthwashes in a recent test - with astounding results. In addition to positive examples, Mogel packs were also in the test repertoire. The price of the flush was not a reliable factor for a good product.

According to Stiftung Warentest, twelve of the tested products can be relied upon. They prevent gingivitis, plaque and tooth decay. The good thing about the best products is that they are among the comparatively cheaper mouthwashes. On the other hand, three expensive branded products have been labeled "Poor" because they do not adequately protect against plaque and gingivitis or fail in caries protection, although this is advertised on the package.

Stiftung Warentest has tested 20 mouthwashes. Most were able to show, but five products were given the grade "poor" (Image: nenetus / fotolia.com)

Not all mouthwashes are recommended

Of the twenty products tested, the majority performed well in the test. However, five products were punished by Stiftung Warentest as not recommended. It is particularly surprising that three of the defective products are expensive branded products from Biorepair, Karex and Zendium. Also surprising is that the only mouthwash with the grade "Very good" comes from the discounter and at just 0.15 euros per 100 milliliters simultaneously one of the cheapest products in the test. The private label Dontodent of the drugstore dm is thus on top of the winners' podium. But the victory can be celebrated only limitedly at dm, because the in-house children's mouthwash Dontodent Junior with berry taste received the grade "Poor".

There is no scientific evidence for the use of hydroxyapatite

The positive effect of fluoride on teeth has been scientifically proven. It serves as caries prophylaxis, mineralizes the tooth surface and makes it more resistant to acids. Two of the products tested by Stiftung Warentest use hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride. According to the suppliers of the products, the substance combines with the tooth surface, thus imitating the tooth enamel. However, scientific evidence that hydroxyapatite acts as effective as fluoride, the providers could not show.

Cheated while bottling

A particularly brazen case was one of the most expensive products in the test. Buyers of the mouthwash will be asked to pay around five euros, but instead of the declared 400 milliliters they will only receive about 350. Another sham package was the only natural cosmetic product in the test.

Parental control is missing on most products

Stiftung Warentest recommends that children should only use fluoridated mouthwashes if they can reliably spit them out again. That is the case at about six years. The colorful waters with the unusual smell, but especially with children arouse the curiosity. Therefore, Stiftung Warentest gave point deductions for lack of parental control, which was the case for 17 of the 20 products. According to Stiftung Warentest, most solutions do not contain alcohol, but they should not be swallowed.

Who benefits from mouth rinses?

For people who find it difficult to clean the narrow spaces between the teeth, mouthwashes can be a useful supplement to oral hygiene. Dental physicians explain to the Stiftung Warentest that especially young people with fixed braces or older people who can no longer clean their teeth by hand are benefiting from mouth rinses. The mouthwash solutions are also suitable for people with frequent caries problems. The detailed test can be purchased on the website of Stiftung Warentest. (Fp)