Mouth Rinse

Q: I currently brush my teeth twice a day and floss once a day, is there still a need to use a mouth rinse? If I have to choose one, what type of mouth rinse should I use?

A: It always brings a smile to my face when patients practice good home care. Research has shown that plaque is the primary cause of gum inflammation and gum (periodontal) disease. Hence the mainstay of prevention of periodontal disease is plaque control, which is mainly achieved through mechanical methods. This means tooth brushing the smooth surfaces of the teeth, and flossing or using interdental brushes between teeth.

Normally, regular effective brushing and flossing is good enough; hence it is not absolutely essential to use a mouth rinse. At Specialist Dental Group, we always encourage patients to practice the rule of 2-2-2; brush your teeth for 2 times a day, for at least 2 minutes each and visit your dentist 2 times a year.

Nonetheless, we understand that some people may have difficulty brushing and flossing adequately, secondary to disease or disability. In such cases, a mouth rinse may be recommended. Mouth rinses act as vehicles for delivery of chemical agents. You should visit a dentist to find out whether a mouth rinse should be included into your home care routine. The dentist would then recommend the type of mouth rinse to use, based on your oral health needs.

Here is a list of some of the most common types of mouth rinses and their benefits/limitations.

Mouth rinses with fluoride

These contain fluoride to help prevent dental caries. Due to the fluoride content, they will also help in remineralizing and strengthening teeth. These mouth rinses are usually recommended for patients at a high caries risk e.g. patients with xerostomia, poor or limited dexterity, multiple exposed root surfaces or enamel defects.

Antiseptic mouth rinses

These are antiplaque agents that kill or inhibit bacterial plaque from proliferating. Different brands in the market contain different active ingredients e.g. chlorhexidine, essential oils, cetylpyridinium chloride. These antiseptic mouth rinses have plaque-inhibitory actions and help to reduce gingivitis (gum inflammation). However chlorhexidine mouth rinses are usually recommended by dentists only for short-term use post-operatively. It may bring about altered taste sensation and teeth staining when used daily on a long term basis.

Herbal mouth rinses

Natural ingredients like aloe vera and plant extracts such as peppermint and tea tree oil have also been used in mouth rinses to help freshen breath and reduces gum inflammation. Unfortunately, there are few scientific data available on the beneficial effects on reducing plaque accumulation and gingivitis. Hence, more research is needed to validate the beneficial effects of these mouth rinses.

Desensitizing mouth rinses

These are oral rinses that contain ingredients such as potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride. Potassium nitrate numbs the nerves in teeth while sodium fluoride coats the tooth enamel to strengthen it. Both help to provide relief from the discomfort of teeth sensitivity. These mouth rinses can be used with desensitizing toothpastes to alleviate tooth sensitivity. However, results are often not immediate and it takes regular usage overtime to be effective.

Homemade rinses

A common home remedy can be made from a mixture of salt in warm water. It is helpful especially when one is suffering an oral infection or injury, before dental treatment is available. The salt water mixture draws water out from one’s oral tissues, washing out micro-organisms. However this only provides symptomatic relief and is not a cure for your oral condition, so do consult your dentist to fix the underlying problem.

Remember, a mouth rinse should only be used as a complement to one’s home care routine and not as a replacement to regular effective teeth brushing and flossing.

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Dr Daylene Leong is Dental Specialist in Periodontics with Specialist Dental Group®, Singapore. She received her training in the specialty area of Periodontology from the University of Michigan, USA. Dr Leong is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. She has a special interest in periodontal regeneration, gingival aesthetic and plastic surgery and dental implants. For more information, visit www.specialistdentalgroup.com. 





Specialist Dental Group ® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services.

A Place Called Home

As one excitedly returns from the Christmas Holiday breaks and is immediately forced into school mode, one of the hardest things a student may face, indeed, is waving goodbye to their family once again. At least for me, the ensuing long journey back to Montreal helps with moving on. Yet as I commence a fourth semester in Montreal, the ease by which I have settled back to life here hits me. Do I immediately miss home, the food, weather and more? yes – but adjusting back to Montreal mode here has become alarmingly simple. What one might call an emotional paradox, these contrasting feelings create an inherent dilemma in deciding where exactly I call home (if you have a child in college, try asking them a similar question).

Within this region, another group of people are experiencing similar, but more serious predicaments: they are the Syrian refugees making their way into the country. Some argue that because McGill students are, as a whole, part of a well-informed community that openly involves itself in the current events in Montreal, news spreads quickly. Hence with the influx of refugees came an explosion of volunteer opportunities from embracing them at the airport to organizing clothes drives to equip them for this winter. Although refugees are set to spread out around many areas of Canada, most McGill students unanimously stand in solidarity to support their integration into society. Already there are talks of cultural centers being implemented as well as efforts to teach English to Syrian residents via video chat.

Trudeau’s response to the refugee crisis is exemplary of some of his initiatives as the new PM, and it is safe to say his decisions so far have been influential towards the students around me. So amidst the dilemma for Montreal dwellers deciding where to call home, they still strive to make sure others truly in need find an easy answer to this question: Canada. 

CIS United: A Commitment to a World United in Peace

Diversity is a key feature of school life at CIS. Currently, we have students from over 70 countries with no one dominant nationality represented. Celebrating and supporting the uniqueness of each of these countries at CIS is important. We also educate our students to show tolerance, respect and collaboration with people from different countries, empowering them to become active promoters and champions of world peace.

With this in mind, our Lakeside community recently came together to celebrate one of the highlights in the CIS calendar: Uniting Nations Week. This popular extravaganza consisted of cultural performances choreographed by students from all corners of the globe, a food festival and the Parade of Nations, a celebration of our collective cultural pride.

Our food festival, which this year showcased delicacies from over 40 nations, encouraged students to take risks as they tried a new dish and learnt a little about that culture. There was also a charitable element to the festival as we worked together to give back to the local community with monetary and food donations going to the Singapore Food Bank.

The week concluded with a memorable finale, the Parade of Nations, which was streamed to family and friends around the globe. The entire student community enjoyed a musical performance by the Secondary Symphonic Band and neighbouring school Fuhua Secondary, a visit from an enormous red-capped crane (a symbol of peace and unity), and over 70 nations marching around the gym. The event was brought to a close with a speech by Head of School, Dr. Glenn Odland, reminding us of the week’s purpose: our commitment to a world united in peace.

Together, we are CIS.United!

New Year New You!

Started the year with too much feasting and too many options for fitness workouts?

Here's an illustration of some options according to your goals.

Step one - Set a goal. E.g. tone up.

Step two - Find a slot in the calendar. E.g. Squeeze in 30 mins every Saturday morning. 

Step three - Enjoy

Let's get started. Here's to the best fitness for the best you in 2016!

Enjoy different types of fitness plans for different types of mind and body expectations. "

"Disclamer: This is a list of suggestions. Please check with your doctor if you have any medical condition that requires specific attention.