Fight Gingivitis with Therapeutic Mouthrinses

Log of Literature #1

Dental Hygiene 4

Amanda Rustad
Marsh, L. (2011, November). Fight gingivitis with therapeutic mouthrinses. Dimensions of

Dental Hygiene, 9(11), 55-57.

Daily maintenance such as mechanical brushing and flossing for prevention of gingivitis and

periodontal diseases can be a challenge for patients. Therapeutic mouthrinses are aids that help patients

improve their oral hygiene routine to help control plaque and maintain maximum oral health. Therapeutic

mouthrinses can also reduce microbial activity. The most common therapeutic mouthrinses include

chlorhexidine, essential oils such as thymol, menthol, eucalyptol and methyl salicylate, cetyl pyridinium

chloride and delmopinol. Scientific research supports the use of many therapeutic mouthrinses that

contain chlorhexidine and essential oils in order to stop plaque and gingivitis. Chlorhexidine also shows

significant clinical changes of periodontal disease. Therapeutic mouthrinses are easy to use and available

over the counter and by prescription. Dental professionals need to be knowledgeable about therapeutic

mouthrinses available and ingredients they contain. By doing so, dental professionals will be able to

recommend a therapeutic mouthrinse suitable for a patients needs. However; therapeutic mouthrinses are

not substitutes for mechanical oral hygiene such as toothbrushing and flossing. In conclusion, therapeutic

mouthrinses are important adjunctive aids that are easy to use for reducing plaque and gingivitis to

improve patient compliance.

This article affects me because as a dental hygiene student completing clinical hours, I need to be

knowledgeable on recognizing the need for therapeutic mouthrinses in my patients. It is an important

adjunct to brushing and flossing to maintain adequate oral hygiene. After reading this information, I agree

and disagree. I feel mouthrinses are beneficial for therapeutic uses; however, cosmetic rinses such as

those that do not contain fluoride is not necessary. Many patients use cosmetic mouth rinses just for fresh

breath but it is not helping them in any way. After reading this article, I learned more about alcohol free

options that are available. These alcohol free products including alcohol free versions of chlorhexidine

and essential oil mouthrinses are recommended to patients whom are contraindicated for alcohol. This
information relates to information learned in dental hygiene lecture and clinical. We have learned about

the many different dentifrices and rinses available today and whether or not they are beneficial. The main

point that was a review is that mouthrinses are adjunctive. They should never be used in place of

mechanical brushing and flossing.