Hannah Eppler

Dental Hygiene IV
Log of Literature

Tilliss, T., RDH, PhD. (2013, May 11). Improve oral health with mouthrinses. Retrieved

November 05, 2017, from Dimensions of Dental Hygiene,

http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/2013/05_May/Features/Improve_Oral_H

ealth_with_Mouthrinses.aspx

Improve Oral Health with Mouthrinses

Mouthrinses are used for numerous oral health reasons. Some use cosmetic

mouthrinses that simply freshen breath and allow the mouth to appear more clean or fresh.

Others use therapeutic mouthrinses which help with cavities and gingivitis. Unlike cosmetic

mouthrinses, therapeutic rinses must be approved by the FDA and are sometime approved by

the ADA as well, however it isn’t mandatory. Using a mouthrinse is something that cannot

replace physically brushing the teeth because it does not disrupt the plaque enough to

completely prevent disease. Mouthrinses are beneficial for reducing the number of bacteria

that floats around the mouth and isn’t attached in a biofilm. Mouthrinses are effective against

gingivitis but not periodontitis because once the bacteria becomes established and causes

pocketing and bone loss, the rinse can’t reach the bacteria or remove it since it is established.

Mouthrinsing only reaches about 1.5 mm subgingivally. Recently on the market are

mouthrinses that contain delmopinol hydrochloride. These mouthrinses do not kill bacteria

however, they interrupt the polysaccharide in the bacteria that causes them to stick to the

tooth structure. By doing so, the bacteria stick less to one another and to the teeth. Rinses
containing delmopinol have a lower alcohol content than most rinses, and they create less

staining than chlorhexidine. These rinses are beneficial to patients who are heavy plaque

formers, orthodontic patients, and periodontal patients. Cetylpyridinium chloride is another

ingredient that is used in some mouthrinses. This type of rinse was marketed as a cosmetic

rinse to freshen breath however, clinical trials have shown to reduce plaque, bleeding, and

gingivitis. Another mouthrinse is a chlorhexidine rinse. This type of rinse is a prescription

mouthrinse which kills bacteria and treats gingivitis. This rinse is more powerful than any other

rinse, but does cause great tooth staining.

As a dental hygienist this article is very beneficial because many times patients want to

use a mouthrinse and we must be able recommend one that will benefit them. Sometimes

patients might even be using a mouthrinse that isn’t benefiting them or harming them and it is

important for a dental hygienist to educate their patient as to why they may not want to use a

rinse. I agree with the information in the article and it is important to know the difference

between each mouthrinse and their advantages/disadvantages. From this article I learned that

mouthrinses do not go very far under the gum line and that some rinses kill bacteria, while

others just interrupt the plaque adherence. From class, I did already know about the difference

between cosmetic and therapeutic rinses and that they must help fight against disease in order

to be therapeutic.