Is Brushing & Flossing Alone The Best Way To Prevent Periodontal Disease?

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - EntSun -- For years, dental professionals have advised patients that brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of effective oral hygiene. But is that enough? According to a new article in Digital Dentistry & Healthcare Knowledge (SUMMER 2024), it might not be. This publication for dental professionals reviews the causes of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and explores measures to prevent implant loss.

The entitled Peri-Implant Disease: What your patient can do to prevent losing the implant; What you can do to prevent losing the patient raises concerns about the effectiveness of brushing and flossing alone in reducing dental plaque. "Periodontal and peri-implant destruction occurs daily," says ioTech International's Chairman, Herb Moskowitz, DDS. He emphasizes, "The best defense against these diseases is a daily regimen that includes brushing, flossing, and antibacterial rinsing."

In a six-month study with over 300 dental patients, brushing and rinsing were found to be 18 times more effective than brushing and flossing. Another second study showed that brushing and rinsing were six times more effective in reducing dental plaque. Additionally, an examination of 160 dental patients demonstrated that brushing and rinsing were far more effective in reducing plaque and inflammation, as measured by the Plaque Index, the Modified Gingival Index, and the Bleeding Index. https://bit.ly/3WHoznH.

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Moskowitz notes the importance of rinsing in daily oral hygiene routines. Home gingival irrigation can significantly enhance oral health with an oral irrigating device or water flosser. The article notes that using a rinsing agent alone can reach depths of 21% of a 6mm pocket, but when combined with an oral irrigator, it can get 90% of that same pocket. Both rinsing and irrigating have much greater benefits when an effective antiseptic agent is used.

"Rinsing and subgingival irrigation are critical to successful periodontal and peri-implant disease prevention. However, it is equally important to use the most effective oral rinse. Not all oral rinses are alike," says Moskowitz. "Molecular iodine has proven to be far more effective than any other professional rinse in keeping gums healthy."

The Digital Dentistry & Healthcare Knowledge article compares various antiseptic rinses against major bacterial pathogens—Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella. Both pathogens are primarily responsible for periodontal disease, and Fusobacterium is also directly linked to colon cancer.  The results clearly documented "a tremendous difference in efficacy amongst the tested antiseptic rinses. The molecular iodine rinse was the only rinse to completely inactivate both bacteria." https://bit.ly/3WHoznH.

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Molecular iodine has emerged as a highly effective agent in preventing peri-implant disease. Unlike traditional antiseptics, molecular iodine offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity without developing resistance. Its potent antimicrobial properties are effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which are often implicated in peri-implant diseases.

The ioTech International Chairman agrees, noting, "By integrating molecular iodine into regular oral hygiene practices, patients can enhance the longevity of their dental implants and maintain better overall oral health." ioTech International developed and patented molecular iodine oral care products in 2017.

Currently, among the ioTech molecular iodine rinses, ioRinse Ultra (https://www.iotechinternational.com/) controls dental plaque and gingivitis, and the recently introduced ioRinse MR is for use with mouth and canker sores, dry mouth, oral pain, and oral ulcers.