M-Th: 8:00-5:00 F: 8:00-1:00 705 742-5666 Peterborough Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Mouth Rinses

Mouth rinses do not fall under the category of “pharmaceuticals”, and therefore manufacturers are not as restricted in what they can claim about their products. For example, one mouth rinse company has made the claim that using their product is as good as flossing. Unfortunately, this is not the case and many people have been misled.

The bottom line is that some mouth rinses can have therapeutic benefits; others are only cosmetic in nature. Some have both attributes.

In general, some therapeutic rinses with fluoride have been shown to fight cavities, plaque and gingivitis formation. Others, that can be obtained by prescription only (eg. Peridex), have been shown to have substantial clinical effects on gingivitis and periodontitis in the mouth.

However, other “cosmetic rinses” merely treat breath odor, reduce bacteria and/or remove food particles in the mouth. They do nothing to treat periodontal disease or prevent gingivitis. Look for indication on the label of the rinse that it is accepted by the Canadian Dental Association.

Surgery or oral disease sometimes leads to complications for which a good quality therapeutic rinse is indicated. Even people who have difficulty brushing (because of physical difficulties such as arthritis) can benefit from a good therapeutic mouth rinse.

It is important to note that even rinses that are indicated to treat plaque or cavities are only moderately effective. Consistent, regular brushing and flossing with a fluoride toothpaste is much more effective than rinsing alone. Therefore rinses should be thought of as an adjunct to your regular oral health care regime.

Deep pits and fissures in the molar teeth allow bacteria to hide undetected from the dentist’s eye and the diagnostic capabilities of x-rays. To prevent decay from starting in these grooves, Dr. Moore uses a technique called microabrasion. This advanced, state of the art technique allows for the early diagnosis and treatment of decay before structural damage is cause to the tooth.

Microabrasion uses a fine stream of sand to grind microorganisms off the surface of the tooth. Using cavity-indicating stains, magnification, and intra-oral photography, bacterial issues can be identified, removed and sealed out with a preventative resin. These are white/clear fillings that seal the teeth, while ensuring that bacteria are not trapped below the surface of the tooth.

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