Question
The dentist recommended a mouthwash for me (w,68) to help combat plaque. Unfortunately, my teeth turn yellowish if I use the product for a long time. Are there rinsing agents without these side effects? And: What are the advantages of rinsing agents? Can they replace brushing your teeth with a toothbrush?
Short answer
Bacteria multiply particularly quickly in a moist, warm mouth. A film of bacteria (plaque) forms within a few hours of brushing your teeth. Regular, thorough mechanical cleaning of the teeth is still the only method that allows bacteria to be kept in check. There is still no "chemical tooth cleaning" using rinsing agents to reduce bacterial growth in the long term.
Bacteria grow almost everywhere and particularly quickly in a moist, warm mouth. The bacterial film (plaque), which begins to form again on the tooth surfaces and at the gum line within a few hours of brushing, becomes thicker and therefore more dangerous if it is not removed by regular brushing.
Mechanical cleaning
Regular, thorough mechanical cleaning of the tooth surfaces and interdental spaces is still the only method that allows bacteria to be kept in check in the long term (for a lifetime). No rinsing agent can replace mechanical tooth cleaning with a toothbrush, as they are all too ineffective or sometimes cause annoying side effects.
Two types of washing-up liquid
There are basically two types of effective rinsing agents. One group contains fluoride and primarily helps to prevent tooth decay. However, the fluoride concentration is low compared to toothpastes, so the preventive effect is comparatively small. The other group contains chlorhexidine (a specific oral disinfectant) and can be used effectively against bacteria. Such agents can be used temporarily for a short time (days to a few weeks) in the case of acute gum inflammation, in parallel with gum treatment or after surgical procedures.
Unpleasant side effects
Unfortunately, when used for several weeks, these rinsing agents cause unpleasant side effects such as tooth discoloration and loss of taste. With the Curasept ADS prescribed for you, these side effects are demonstrably smaller, but still present. There is still no "chemical tooth cleaning" available today for the long-term reduction of bacterial growth.
Dr. med. dent. Jürg Eppenberger
Neue Luzerner Zeitung on May 10, 2011