Expanded and future uses of mouthrinses.

The use of antimicrobial mouthrinses is important to dental professionals and their patients. Listerine Antiseptic was found to greatly decrease the anaerobic and aerobic bacteria associated with bacteremia, when used as a subgingival irrigant prior to scaling. Furthermore, preprocedural rinsing with either Listerine or chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex) can greatly decrease the number of bacteria aerosolized during many dental procedures. Studies have shown that both Listerine and chlorhexidine have anti-Candida properties and therefore are helpful to patients who are immunosuppressed and subject to the opportunistic infection of candidiasis. Chlorhexidine has also been shown to decrease the incidence and severity of mucositis during cancer chemotherapy. Healing of the wounds and aiding in plaque control following periodontal surgery are further benefits of chlorhexidine and Listerine. Finally, each of these antimicrobials can be adjuncts to implant maintenance.