How Mouth Rinse Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is damage that occurs when bacteria in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. It can lead to a hole in the tooth, called a cavity. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss. You can prevent tooth decay by forming good habits that include using mouth rinse.

Good oral and dental hygiene, that includes regular use of mouth rinse, can help keep your teeth intact by avoiding cavities and tooth decay. Follow these tips to help prevent cavities:

• Brush after eating or drinking. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner. If you can’t brush after eating, at least try to rinse your mouth with water or a mouth rinse.

• Rinse your mouth. If your dentist feels you have a high risk of developing cavities, he or she may recommend that you use a mouth rinse with fluoride.

• Visit your dentist regularly. Get professional tooth cleanings and regular oral exams, which can help prevent problems or spot them early. Your dentist can recommend a schedule that’s best for your situation.

• Drink some tap water. Adding fluoride to public water supplies has helped decrease tooth decay significantly. If you drink only bottled water that doesn’t contain fluoride or use a fluoride mouth rinse, you’ll miss out on its benefits. Be sure to drink some tap water, too.

• Avoid frequent snacking and sipping. Whenever you eat or drink something other than water, you help your mouth bacteria create acids that can destroy your tooth enamel. If you snack or drink throughout the day without brushing or using a mouth rinse, your teeth are under constant attack.

• Eat tooth-healthy foods. Some foods and beverages are better for your teeth than others. Avoid foods that get stuck in grooves and pits of your teeth for long periods, such as chips, candy or cookies. Instead, eat food that protects your teeth, such as cheese as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, which increase saliva flow.

• Consider fluoride treatments. Your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment, especially if you aren’t getting enough fluoride through fluoridated drinking water, a mouth rinse, or other sources. In a fluoride treatment, your dentist applies concentrated fluoride to your teeth for several minutes. You can also use fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinse.

• Ask about antibacterial treatments. If you’re especially vulnerable to tooth decay — for example, because of a medical condition — your dentist may recommend a special antibacterial mouth rinse or other treatment to help cut down on harmful bacteria in your mouth.

If you are interested in learning more about how mouth rinse can help prevent tooth decay, you may be want to participate in JBR Clinical Research’s current mouth rinse study. Jean Brown is currently conducting a clinical research study for an investigational mouth rinse and dental gel products and is looking for qualified healthy male and female participants 18-75 years old. For more information, please visit the mouth rinse study page or call JBR Clinical Research at 801-261-2000.