Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

In our last blog post, we talked about mouth rinse and flossing, and the dire importance of flossing. We didn’t cover the topic of mouth rinse in great detail, so we will do that here. We don’t want to underemphasize the importance of using mouth rinse. The bottom line is that using mouth rinse in conjunction with brushing and flossing (twice daily) greatly improves your chance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Fluoride mouth rinses are used to help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies conducted at the University Of Texas Health Science department and in partnership with the American Dental Association, have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse in addition to fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. The use of fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children six years of age and younger because they may swallow the rinse. Our section about pediatric dental hygiene can explain more about what to use for younger children. Remember, you should always check the manufacturer's label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with your dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.

"People may think cavities only impact children, but adults can get tooth decay, too," says Maria Lopez Howell, D.D.S., consumer advisor for the ADA. Children aren’t the only ones who can get gingivitis; adults can also get the gum disease.

If allowed to progress, gingivitis can lead to advanced gum disease, and that can lead to tooth loss. A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 27 percent of people age 65 and older experience complete tooth loss. "It's important for people of all ages to follow good oral hygiene to keep their smiles healthy," Dr. Ronkin advises. Consumers should look for oral health care products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance -- their assurance that the ADA Council on Scientific affairs has found that the product meets objective, scientific criteria for safety and effectiveness. The ADA requires products to display a statement on the package informing consumers why the product was awarded the ADA Seal.

According to a national public opinion survey, a majority of consumers recognize the American Dental Association's (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, and of those, 81 percent reported purchasing an oral hygiene product with the ADA Seal.  Our bottom line advice for you here today is to be sure to brush, floss, and rinse at least twice a day and to purchase dental hygiene products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. We also recommend alcohol-free mouth rinse such as Breath Rx because its better for you.