Mouthwashes are used for cleaning and freshening the mouth and for oral hygiene. Antiseptic and anti-plaque mouth rinses kill germs that cause plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. Anti-cavity mouth rinse uses fluoride to protect against tooth decay. Products that prevent the formation of cavities and that kill the germs that cause bad breath are regulated as Over-The-Counter drug products by the Food and Drug Administration. These products must be shown to be safe and effective according to the standards set by FDA. Find out more about FDA regulation of anticaries and anti-germ Mouthwashes: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CF… Anticaries mouth washes should be used in conjunction with both brushing and flossing. Find out more about proper care of you teeth and mouth: http://www.ada.org/ Breath Fresheners are products that help to freshen your breath and cover up malodor. Breath Fresheners product safety is established by selection of ingredients that are safe and suitable for this purpose. Breath Fresheners are assessed to ensure that they are safe for use in the oral cavity and for consumption. Product safety is also ensured though strict adherence to the principles of Quality Assurance and Good Manufacturing Practices. This includes testing the compatibility of the product with packaging as well as shelf-life stability. It is important to read and follow the directions provided on the product label. For products that are regulated by FDA as OTC drugs, the product must be labeled as required by FDA and also use the “Drug Facts” format established by FDA. Find out more about FDA Drug Facts labeling: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTob… The safety of products is monitored in the market-place to track any consumer comments or complaints. Companies include a phone number on their products where comments or complaints may be reported.
