Oral health is one of the essential components of general health, and is strictly dependent on oral hygiene that can be maintained only through regular, daily, home-based care like brushing your teeth two times a day, rinsing your mouth every time you eat .
Although mechanical oral hygiene (MOH) at home remains the single, most reliable means of cleaning teeth, use of mouthrinses has been widely advocated as an adjunctive treatment since the bacterial nature of plaque was first understood.
They also have a high level of acceptance among the public due to their ease of use and breath-freshening effect.
Mouthrinses are frequently prescribed by dentists.
However, the market offers a multiplicity of over-the-counter mouthrinses that are freely used by patients without medical supervision.
Recommendations:
1. Over the counter use of Mouthwashes without the prescription of Dentists should be avoided.
2. It is observed that antimicrobial efficacy of mouthwashes is effective in combination with mechanical therapy .
3. Post dental surgery patients can use mouthwashes .
4. Systemically healthy patients should avoid long term use of mouthwashes, maintain good oral hygiene habits and visit dentist every 6 months for Oral prophylaxis.
