Abstract
Purpose: Antiseptic mouth rinses are widely recommended and marketed to improve oral health. This article summarizes current studies on the comparative effectiveness of selected antiseptic mouth rinses in controlling plaque and gingivitis, as well as risks associated with daily exposure, including salivary flow rate, oral cancer and wear of composite restorations.
Methods: Electronic database searches were conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed to identify articles comparing the effectiveness of 4 commercially marketed antiseptic mouth rinses differing in active ingredients (0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, essential oils (menthol, thymol and eucalyptol) and methyl salicylate, 0.7% cetylpyridinium chloride and 20% aloe vera gel) for controlling plaque and gingivitis. Criteria for inclusion included controlled clinical trials and systematic reviews appearing in English language publications evaluating the comparative effectiveness of the mouth rinses in controlling plaque and gingivitis, as well as risks associated with daily usage.
Results: The majority of studies have shown mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine gluconate or essential oils and methyl salicylate provide clinically significant anti–gingivitis and anti–plaque benefits. Cetylpyridinium chloride has been found to provide only limited clinical benefits compared to inactive control mouth rinse. Inadequate evidence is available to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of aloe vera gel. Chlorhexidine, essential oils and cetylpyridinium have been found to be safe. However, limited data are available on the effects of the mouth rinse on wear patterns of dental restorations. Studies reviewed reported no significant difference in salivary flow rate related to alcohol based mouth rinse.
Conclusion: Research supports the effectiveness of antiseptic mouth rinses in reducing plaque and gingivitis as an adjunct to home care. Insufficient evidence is available to support the claim that oral antiseptics can reduce the risk of developing periodontitis or the rate of progression of periodontitis.
- Mouth rinse
- anti–plaque
- anti–gingivitis
- xerostomia
- oral cancer
- composite restorations
- essential oils
- chlorhexidine gluconate
- cetylpyridinium chloride
Footnotes
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Diane R. Osso, RDH, MS, is a full-time faculty member at the Community College of Denver Dental Hygiene Program. Nehal Kanani, RDH, BS, is a degree completion student at the University of Mayland's Department of Periodontics
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This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention: Investigate the effectiveness of oral self–care behaviors that prevent or reduce oral diseases among all age, social and cultural groups.
- Copyright © 2013 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
