Many friends asked me if using mouthwash can help control plaque, is it an alternative to brushing with dental floss dental brush? My answer is that dentistry classic mouthwash chlorhexidine or oral tide (the main ingredient chlorhexidine) is mostly used for post-operative or acute periodontal inflammation control, but generally use a week to two weeks and then stop. Because this mouthwash long-term use will cause tooth pigmentation, tongue blackening and even loss of taste. Mouthwashes with other ingredients (containing essential oils or ciprochlor) can help control plaque, but are not a long-term substitute for mechanical plaque removal methods such as brushing.