What
is an antimicrobial rinse?
Many of us have asked these same questions. What is an antimicrobial rinse? When should I use an antimicrobial rinse? What over the counter products are effective
antimicrobial rinses?
Antimicrobial is defined as: a substance capable of destroying or
inhibiting the growth of disease causing microbes.[1] An antimicrobial rinse is a liquid substance
that has the ability to destroy or inhibit the growth of microbes that can
cause disease in the oral cavity such as gingivitis, and periodontal disease.[2]
Most antimicrobial rinses are designed to fight oral
diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. “Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums
surrounding the teeth.”[3] “Periodontal disease means "inflammation
around the tooth. It is a serious gum
infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth”[4]
When should an antimicrobial rinse be used? Each
person has individual needs. It is best to
ask your health care professional to give you advice as to which antimicrobial
product may be best for you. There are
many antimicrobial rinses that can help cut down on the numbers of harmful microbes
in your mouth. This article will
highlight three of the most popular over the counter rinses: Listerine, Crest
Pro-health, and Colgate Advantage.
Listerine
Listerine uses a unique formula of 4 essential oils:
Eucalyptol, Menthol, Methyl salicyate, and Thymol. These unique essential oils are combined with
an alcohol formula to form the liquid that we see as we look at a Listerine
bottle on the store shelves. This alcohol formula allows the unique
essential oils to penetrate the cell walls of the destructive microbes thus
preventing the bacteria from forming a harmful substance that can grow on the
tooth surface. [5] For those of us who have sensitivity to the
burning that is evident in the traditional Listerine product, Listerine has
created a less intense alcohol free formula.
Look for the ZERO™ trade mark on the label.[6]
Colgate Advantage pro-shield
The active ingredient
in Colgate Advantage pro-shield is Cetylpyridinium
chloride or (CPC). “Cetylpyridinium chloride is a chemical that destroys or cleanses
harmful bacteria from organic surfaces.”[7] When mixed with a peppermint flavor, it has
the ability to: Kill 99% of germs on contact, significantly reduce plaque, help
prevent gingivitis, and freshens breath without the burn of alcohol. Colgate
Advantage pro-shield has been known to protect against germs for 12-hours even
after eating and drinking.[8]
Crest Pro-health
The active
ingredient in Pro-health is also Cetylpyridinium chloride or (CPC). “Cetylpyridinium chloride is an antiseptic
ammonium compound.[9] It can be found in some of our cleaning products
and over the counter mouthwashes and toothpastes. Mixed with Water, glycerin, and other
ingredients it makes the refreshing Crest Pro-Health rinse.
Crest has
created a variety of antimicrobial rinses that are designed to: fight tarter formation, kill bacteria, remineralize
the teeth, prevent plaque regrowth and fight bad breath. [10]
Tess Hulet RDH,
MHSM
[1] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antimicrobial
[3] http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gingivitis/article_em.htm
[4] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/242321.php
[5] http://www.listerineprofessional.com/deepestclean
[6] http://www.listerine.com/products/zero-mouthwash?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Branded+-+Zero&utm_term=listerine%20zero&utm_content=Zero|mkwid|hSlCwXpu|pcrid|4753277107
[10] http://www.crestprohealth.com/crest-products/pro-health-rinses.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=buy%20crest%20mouthwash&utm_campaign=CPH_Search_Desktop_Brand+Purchase_Rinse|Buy_Rinse&utm_content=byMsTomG4_4778621494_b_buy%20crest%20mouthwash
