To many people, anti-bacterial toothpaste is as a must when it comes to keeping their teeth clean and healthy. But is antibacterial mouthwash a good idea?

Key takeaways:

- Many toothpaste and mouthwash products contain triclosan, a chemical agent with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- Mouth bacteria live in the tongue, so brushing the teeth with an anti-bacterial toothpaste has little to no effect on those bacteria.
- Antiseptic mouthwashes can strip the mouth off good bacteria and interfere with the body's production of natural defense against disease-causing inflammation.

Should you use mouthwash that contains triclosan? As usual, your dentist can offer advice on the best ways of maintaining good oral health.

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