Objective
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 6-month clinical studies of marketed antimicrobial =
mouthrinse
ingredients and products.
Results
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 6-month clinical trials.
Conclusion
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.
REFERENCES
1.Barnett ML. The rationale for the daily use of =
an
antimicrobial mouthrinse. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;
137(11 supplement):16S-21S.