Availability, indications for use and main ingredients of mouthwashes in six major supermarkets in Gauteng

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.