Tooth brushing and interdental cleaning form the foundations of any effective oral hygiene routine, but a significant number of patients still treat mouthwash as an afterthought – if they use it at all. Recommending the right rinse to patients, and encouraging it to be used the right way, can passively strengthen the results of everything else a patient already does at the sink, and it costs nothing more than a moment of conversation at the chairside.
What mouthwash actually adds
Mechanical cleaning with a toothbrush and interdental tools removes plaque from accessible surfaces, but despite the ergonomics and innovations, they cannot reach every single corner of the mouth. Mouthwash acts as a supplement rather than a substitute, reaching residual plaque that brushing and flossing leave behind.[i]
Reviews consistently find that mouth rinses used alongside brushing provide an additional reduction in plaque and gingival inflammation compared with solely brushing alone.[ii] The effect is not dramatic on its own, but when compounded with a strong existing routine, it builds over weeks and months, particularly around the gingiva and in areas patients tend to brush less thoroughly.
Not all formulations work the same way
Despite what many patients might believe, there are certainly tiers to different combinations in the creation of mouth washes, and some come out much farther on top than others. Essentially, the active ingredient in a mouthwash determines what it can achieve, so a generic recommendation rarely supports each and every respective patient. Fluoride rinses strengthen enamel and help prevent decay, while antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine target the bacteria responsible for plaque and gum disease. Combining the two offers a remarkable advantage: research comparing fluoride, chlorhexidine, and fluoride-chlorhexidine rinses found that the combined formula produced a significantly greater reduction in salivary bacteria than either ingredient used alone.[iii]
For patients managing bad breath, zinc-containing formulations offer an additional layer of support without diluting the antibacterial or remineralising effect, addressing a concern that brushing alone rarely resolves.
Timing and technique
Patients also often assume any time is a good time to rinse, but timing very much affects how well a mouthwash works. Rinsing immediately after brushing can wash away the concentrated fluoride left behind by toothpaste, reducing its benefit before it works on the enamel. Advising patients to rinse at a separate and specific point in the day – after lunch or before bed for example – allows both the toothpaste and the mouthwash to work in conjunction without interference.
Furthermore, consistency matters more than frequency as a rinse used daily as part of an established routine will outperform one used sporadically, regardless of how strong the formulation might be. A short, simple instruction at review appointments is usually all it takes to correct the habit, and patients tend to respond well to a clear, practical rule rather than a lengthy explanation of different chemistry formulations.
Supporting patients properly
WASH & PREVENT mouthwash from the TANDEX range gives practices a straightforward way to recommend the right rinse for the right patient. PREVENT WASH combines fluoride and chlorhexidine for a double-active antibacterial effect, while PREVENT plus zinc has been developed for extra protection against bad breath. Both are alcohol-free with a peppermint flavour, making them comfortable for daily use – for all! The range also sits alongside the FLEXI interdental brushes and PREVENT Gel, giving clinicians a complete prevention toolkit to recommend as part of one consistent routine.
A habit worth recommending
Mouthwash will never replace brushing or interdental cleaning, but dismissing it entirely inhibits a significant sector of the oral hygiene routine for so many. For practices looking for a simple way to strengthen patient routines, a considered mouthwash recommendation that has well-researched formulation is one of the easiest changes to make.
TANDEX is giving dental professionals the opportunity to win a FREE FLEXI Educator Kit by answering just a few questions!
Enter the quiz by scanning the code or following this link https://form1.tandex.de
For more information on Tandex’s range of products, visit https://tandex.dk
Our products are also available from DHB Oral Healthcare https://dhb.co.uk
Author Jacob Watwood on behalf of Tandex – Rodericks Dental Partners Associate dentist at Fieldside Dental Practice
[i] Brookes Z, McCullough M, Kumar P, & McGrath C. (2023) ‘Mouthwashes: Implications for Practice’, International Dental Journal, 73, pp. 98-101. PMC10690539. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10690539/
[ii] Prasad M, Patti B, Singla A, et al. The Clinical Effectiveness of Post-Brushing Rinsing in Reducing Plaque and Gingivitis: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2016 May, Vol-10(5): ZE01-ZE07 PMC4948552. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4948552/
[iii] Sajadi F, Moradi M, Pardakhty A, et al. Effect of Fluoride, Chlorhexidine and Fluoride-chlorhexidine Mouthwashes on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count and the Prevalence of Oral Side Effects. PMC4417494. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4417494/
