Most children do not need mouthwash, and those under six are better off without it. Young children tend to swallow whatever goes in their mouth, and a rinse adds little protection that a twice-daily brush with fluoride toothpaste does not already give. For some older children, a dentist may recommend a fluoride rinse for a specific reason, such as braces or a high risk of decay.
The problem with rinses before age six
Swishing and spitting looks easy to adults, but it takes a fair bit of control. Many preschoolers swallow part of the liquid, and some like the taste enough to drink it. Australian fluoride guidelines advise that children under six should not use fluoride mouthrinses, largely for this reason.
Two things are at stake. While the adult teeth are still forming inside the jaw, taking in extra fluoride on a regular basis can lead to dental fluorosis, which usually appears as faint white flecks or lines on the adult front teeth. Separately, many adult mouthwashes contain alcohol and other ingredients that are not meant to be swallowed in any quantity. Bottles belong out of reach, the same as any other household product.
If a young child swallows a mouthful of mouthwash once, the risk is usually low, but if they drank a larger amount or you are unsure what was in it, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice.
What protects young teeth instead
Brushing does the heavy lifting, and the Australian advice on toothpaste depends on age:
- Under 18 months: no toothpaste, unless a dentist advises it; brush with water.
- 18 months to 6 years: a smear of low-fluoride children's toothpaste, twice a day.
- From 6 years: a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste, twice a day (ADA, teeth.org.au).
After brushing, children should spit out the extra toothpaste but not rinse with water, so a thin layer of fluoride stays on the teeth. Our guide to how much fluoride toothpaste children need covers this in more detail.
When a younger child is at higher risk of decay, the safer way to add fluoride is in the chair. A dentist or OHT can paint on a fluoride varnish, which sets on the teeth within seconds and cannot be gulped down like a liquid.
From six onwards, a rinse is sometimes worth adding
Once a child can reliably swish for the time on the label and spit everything out, a fluoride mouthrinse becomes an option. It is not something every child needs. A dentist is more likely to suggest one when:
- new cavities keep appearing despite reasonable brushing
- the child wears fixed braces, where plaque gathers around the brackets
- a medical condition or medicine has left the mouth dry
- the child is unable to brush well because of a disability or illness
In those situations the rinse is an extra layer on top of brushing and cleaning between the teeth. It does not replace either of them. Occasionally a dentist will recommend a different kind of rinse for a short period, for example after a mouth injury or minor surgery, and that is a separate, time-limited instruction.
Getting the details right
If a rinse has been recommended, the way it is used makes a difference.
Pick a product made for children, alcohol-free, and check the age on the label. Measure the dose with the cap or a small cup instead of pouring straight from the bottle. Use it at a different time of day from brushing, such as after lunch or after school; rinsing straight after brushing washes away the fluoride the toothpaste has just left behind. Stay nearby until you are confident your child reliably spits it all out.
Coloured, sweet-tasting rinses can look like a drink to a younger brother or sister, so keep the bottle high up after use.
Questions from parents
My eight-year-old wants to use mouthwash like us. Is that fine?
If they can swish and spit properly, a children's alcohol-free fluoride rinse used at a separate time from brushing is generally fine. It is an optional extra, so ask at the next check-up whether it would add anything for your child.
Can mouthwash fix bad breath in a child?
It may mask it briefly. Ongoing bad breath in a child is more often linked to plaque on the tongue and teeth, a blocked nose and mouth breathing, or a decayed tooth, so it is worth a dental check rather than covering it up.
Does my child need to rinse with water after brushing?
No. Spit, do not rinse, so the fluoride keeps working on the tooth surface.
At a children's check-up, a dentist or OHT can look at your child's risk of decay and say whether anything beyond toothpaste is worthwhile. The first dental visit guide explains what happens at that appointment, and you can see our current family offers or book online.
