The mouthwash is one of the most used healthcare facilities for the protection of the oral cavity: their consumption is increasing and in Western Europe were more than 9% of spending on products for oral hygiene. In 2006, mouthwashes, as submitted by Pfizer Consumer Health Care, reached Italy in the 128.6 million in revenue, about a sixth of the oral hygiene industry.
But in the face of such a massive use, we guarantee their quality, their effectiveness?
This question has been proposed to respond, on a scientific level, the Italian Guidelines on the use of mouthwashes for oral health (Italian mouthwash guidelines or IMG). The answers given by Img are the synthesis of over a year’s work of a study group consisting of 14 experts appointed by the four professional associations and coordinated by Andrea Pilloni University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. In particular there are three questions to be answered:
- The use of mouthwashes, associated with normal oral hygiene techniques can, compared to non-use, prevent gingivitis or inflammatory events linked to it? There is good scientific evidence that the combination of a mouthwash to the usual oral hygiene techniques gives rise to significant advantages compared to non-use against the ‘gingival inflammation. Chlorhexidine and essential oils are the active ingredients as are available the largest number of surveys methodologically quite good. Even the cetylpyridinium chloride, albeit in smaller number of studies, has shown the ability to improve the indicators of gingival inflammation.
- The use of mouthwashes, associated with normal oral hygiene techniques, is able, compared to non-use to reduce the amount of plaque? Several studies have led to significant advantages to using a mouthwash compared to non-use against are accumulation of plaque on tooth surfaces.
- The use of mouthwash is free of side effects for the patient? The main adverse effects for patients who use mouthwashes for long-term treatment are the appearance of pigmentation and the increase in the formation of tartar. Chlorhexidine compared with other active ingredients is weighed down by the increased frequency of occurrence of side effects mentioned above. The frequency of other significant side effects like the alteration of taste or appearance of oral irritation is considered occasional.
The last word is always at your dentist or dental hygienist who will be able to recommend the best product to suit your needs while avoiding unnecessary do-it-yourself.