Can't I Just Rinse?

How often do you floss? Once a day? Twice? Once a week? The day before your next cleaning? Never? It seems whenever someone goes to a dental office, they inevitably know they are going to be told to floss more often. On top of that, we may even recommend a mouth rinse. That seems like too much, right? If a mouth wash can kill bacteria in the mouth, shouldn't that be enough?

Of course, our answer is “No”, and despite what some mouth wash brands may want you to believe, they know the answer is “no” as well.

In 2005 , the makers of Listerine spent $2 million to replace what a judge called misleading advertising suggesting that the product is as effective as flossing at fighting plaque and gingivitis. Just this week, the issue surfaced again, and the US Food and Drug Administration warned three rinse manufacturers to remove claims of preventing gum disease. They stated “these mouth rinse products contain the active ingredient sodium fluoride. The FDA has determined that sodium fluoride is effective in preventing cavities but has not found this ingredient to be effective in removing plaque or preventing gum disease.”

Rinsing is important but not a replacement for flossing. Floss can remove plaque and debris below the gumline than a rinse will reach. There simply is no substitute. So don't throw away your Listerine, but make sure you're flossing just as frequently!