The rationale for the daily use of an antimicrobial mouthrinse.
BACKGROUND
This article reviews the rationale for incorporating effective antimicrobial mouthrinses into a daily oral hygiene regimen along with mechanical plaque control methods.


METHODS
The author reviewed studies demonstrating the essential etiologic role of a pathogenic dental plaque biofilm in the development of gingivitis, as well as studies indicating that most people fail to maintain a level of mechanical plaque control sufficient to prevent disease. In addition, he did a brief review of studies of oral microbial ecology that identified the oral mucosal tissues as a reservoir of bacteria that colonize tooth surfaces, and he summarized six-month clinical studies of marketed antimicrobial mouthrinse ingredients and products.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a twofold rationale for daily use of antimicrobial mouthrinses: first, given the inadequacy of mechanical plaque control by the majority of people, as a component added to oral hygiene regimens for the control and prevention of periodontal diseases; second, as a method of delivering antimicrobial agents to mucosal sites throughout the mouth that harbor pathogenic bacteria capable of recolonizing supragingival and subgingival tooth surfaces, thereby providing a complementary mechanism of plaque control. The efficacy of several mouthrinse ingredients and products is supported by published six-month clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
The daily use of an effective antiplaque/antigingivitis antimicrobial mouthrinse is well-supported by a scientific rationale and can be a valuable component of oral hygiene regimens.
Barnett
Michael L
ML
Department of Periodontics/Endodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA. mlbgums@aol.com
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D009067:Mouthwashes