Role of mouthwash in oral care: what do we know?
This session will discuss the results of FDI research on the role of mouthwash in oral care.
An interactive segment will unveil common myths about the use and role of mouthwashes, followed by a summary on the results of FDI’s research about the effectiveness, adverse effects and systemic involvement, plus the affectation of the oral microbiome. Session attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the Q&A section with the panel of experts.
Finally, the experts will briefly discuss the future directions of mouthwashes and their role.

Learning Objectives

 
 Prof Michael McCullough
Antimicrobial mouthwash use represents a common oral health care practice, as such agents are widely available. Evidence on their antiplaque actions, whether used alone or as an adjunctive treatment to mechanical oral hygiene measures, is presented in the preceding paper.1 Alongside their potential benefits there are some, albeit limited, data that mouthwashes, like many agents, may have the potential to increase the risk of, or worsen, common systemic disorders. The present article will highlight the recent evidence on the potential association between anti-microbial mouthwash use and the risk of systemic conditions, where there is sufficient evidence to support these associations, for example diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), oral cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and pre-eclampsia.

Learning Objectives

 
 Zoe Brookes
The oral microbiome exists as a complex community of bacteria, fungi, archaeae, protozoae and viruses in oral health. Most currently available mouthwashes are antimicrobial, ‘killing’ bacteria, and a huge range of antimicrobial mouthwashes are commercially available to successfully manage oral disease. However, antimicrobial agents may concurrently cause a ‘good’ shift towards a diverse oral microbiome predominating in bacterial species associated with health, or a ‘bad’ shift towards dysbiosis (reduced diversity and increased pathogenic species) and further disease, including resistance. This session investigates the effects of several commonly used antimicrobial mouthwashes on the oral microbiome, and asks - do the good effects outweigh the bad?

Learning Objectives

 
 Colman McGrath
Mouthwashes purport to reduce dental plaque and thus their potential to prevent plaque-induced oral disease. Depending on their active ingredients used, their mode of action to combat plaque varies,  their potential effectiveness in preventing, mitigating and managing oral diseases and oral conditions varies. Evidence of the effectiveness of mouthwashes in oral care will be discusses, including their role in self-care against dental caries and periodontal diseases. In addition, the effectiveness of mouthwashes in tooth whitening and managing halitosis will be covered. The emerging role of mouthwashes in healthcare in general and their adjunct roles will be discussed. Known unknowns will be outlined. These findings have implications to inform practice, policy and research.

Learning Objectives