New studies are being done that show that using highly diluted household bleach as a mouth rinse can cause a significant reduction in dental plaque formation and bleeding on probing sites without some of the side-effects of long-term chlorhexidine use.Ī randomized control trial comparing the effects of swishing twice a week with 0.25-percent sodium hypochlorite (vs water) in addition to a person’s oral hygiene routine showed statistically significant improvements in plaque-free surfaces and the number of sites with bleeding on probing after three months. But as most backpackers can tell you, bleach can be used to treat potentially contaminated water sources and still be safe to drink when properly diluted. sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, all bacteria that can routinely be found in the oral environment.Ĭoncentrated sodium hypochlorite can be extremely caustic and cause extremely damaging tissue destruction. However, it wasn’t until 1920 that the first published use of sodium hypochlorite was documented in endodontic root canal therapy.Īs a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, sodium hypochlorite has long been studied on the anaerobic bacteria that cause endodontic infections, but in vitro studies done with 0.5 percent sodium hypochlorite solutions have shown it to also be effective against S. Sodium hypochlorite, one of the main active ingredients in household bleach, has been used as an antibacterial agent since the mid-19 th century, when doctors used to wash their hands with it and noticed dramatically-reduced disease transmission between patients. How can bleach reduce dental plaque levels? However, this year I started hearing about the use of mouth rinsing with dilute sodium hypochlorite as an effective way of reducing dental plaque levels, and the idea piqued my curiosity enough to look more into the history and literature behind its use. I resigned myself to the fact that there wasn’t much more I could do or recommend. Mary has been on chlorhexidine mouth rinses before, but due to cost, tooth staining and the effects on her sense of taste, it has been more of an on-and-off routine. Mary falls into all three categories, and despite her best efforts to maintain what’s left of her dentition, she’s gradually losing the battle. We all have patients who, whether due to issues with dexterity, diet or medication-induced xerostomia, are constantly fighting a battle with plaque buildup and bleeding gums. We stress the importance of her oral hygiene to preserve the abutment teeth for her partial denture.Īnd, oh, did I mention Mary only has four teeth? We talk about improving her dietary choices and managing her dry mouth with sugar-free mints and lozenges. We use hand mirrors and demonstrate brushing technique. And every three months, her teeth are covered in plaque. Mary is 74 years old and comes to the office every three months, like clockwork, for her cleanings.
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