Chemotherapeutic mouth rinse seminar a hit

The 31st Australian Dental Congress in Adelaide provided the backdrop for a seminar hosted by Pfizer looking at the role of chemotherapeutic adjuncts in home oral healthcare.

Presented by Professor Eric Reynolds from the University of Melbourne, the seminar was an encore to a similar presentation in 2004 and provided a comprehensive review of the evidence for chemotherapeutic rinses, with a focus on efficacy and safety.

Professor Reynolds highlighted some interesting statistics about the average adult's oral hygiene. Specifically:

• The average time spent brushing is only 46 seconds;¹
• Only 2-10% of people floss regularly or effectively;² and
• More than 50% of adults have gingivitis.³

Given these statistics, Professor Reynolds argued that there is compelling evidence for recommending chemotherapeutic rinses as a component of everyday oral hygiene.

In a thorough examination of the efficacy of both essential oil and chlorhexidine mouthrinses, Professor Reynolds highlighted that Listerine is as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing plaque and almost as effective in reducing gingivitis.⁴ Listerine is also effective in penetrating plaque biofilm and is effective in combating halitosis caused by intra-oral factors.⁵

While stressing that rinsing is not a substitute for brushing or flossing, Professor Reynolds referred to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association which demonstrated that rinsing with Listerine as an adjunct to daily flossing and tooth brushing provides a dramatic and clinically significant incremental benefit in reducing gingivitis and plaque build-up over brushing and flossing alone.⁶

In addition to issues surrounding efficacy, Professor Reynolds addressed the various safety concerns that are incorrectly associated with the use of mouthwash. Importantly, the evidence reviewed shows that Listerine is safe to use in the long term, carrying no risk of allergy, dental erosion or oral cancer and with no changes observed in the composition of plaque and no evidence of antimicrobial resistance.⁵

Professor Reynolds also cited a study which showed that unlike chlorhexidine, Listerine does not cause tooth staining and calculus formation and is able to be used immediately after brushing as part of a comprehensive daily oral health care routine.⁴

References

1. Beals D, et al: Development and laboratory evaluation of a new toothbrush with a novel brush head design. Am J Dent. 2000;13:5A-14A.
2. Bader HI: Floss or die: implications for dental professionals. Dent Today. 1998;17:76-82.
3. Oliver RC, et al. J Periodontol: Periodontal diseases in the United States population. 1998;69:269-278.
4. Overholser CD, et al: Comparative effects of 2 chemotherapeutic mouthrinses on the development of supragingival dental plaque and gingivitis. J Clin Periodontal. 1990:17:575-579.
5. Ciancio S (Ed): Essential Oils In Oral Health Management: A Review. J Clin Perio, Vol. 30, Supplement 5, 2003.
6. Sharma N, Charles C, Lynch, D et al: Adjunctive benefit of an essential oil-containing mouthwash in reducing plaque and gingivitis in patients who brush and floss regularly: A six-month study. JADA, Vol. 135, April 2004.

Listerine Original: Each mL contains Ethanol 0.26mL, Benzoic Acid 1.5mg, Thymol 0.63mg, Cineole (Eucalyptol) 0.90mg. Listerine Coolmint & Freshburst: Each mL contains: Ethanol 0.22mL, Benzoic Acid 1.5mg, Thymol 0.64mg, Cineole (Eucalyptol) 0.92mg. Listerine kills the germs that cause bad breath, plaque and gingivitis. The Australian Dental Association Inc. considers this product to be safe and effective when used for the purpose intended and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Listerine is a Registered Trademark of Warner Lambert Company USA.