Fluoride Mouthrinse: Not Just for Kids

Dental caries is not only a concern for children; it also impacts adults. Supporting oral health throughout the lifetime depends on a variety of factors — from practicing good oral hygiene to receiving professional dental care.

As adults age, the risk of dental caries remains present. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91% of adults older than age 20 have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.¹ Gingival recession, which leads to root exposure; fractured restorations; and high medication use (many of which cause xerostomia) all increase caries risk among adults.² Natural wear and tear, pregnancy, and acid reflux may be additional contributing factors that many adults don’t consider.^3,4

Regardless of this present risk, fluoride may not be top of mind for patients.⁵ Dental hygienists are charged with ensuring patients understand the importance of effective oral hygiene, including the use of fluoride mouthrinse.

Outside of the negative effects on oral health, dental caries can significantly impact quality of life and systemic health.^6,7

Fluoride Remains Gold Standard

When it comes to helping to prevent caries, the use of fluoride is key. Besides brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, incorporating fluoride mouthrinse may also provide additional benefits, particularly for those at elevated caries risk.⁸

Recommending the appropriate products is critical to supporting the efficacy of oral hygiene regimens. Ensuring that a mouthrinse contains fluoride as the active ingredient is important to accessing caries-prevention benefits. A 2023 survey revealed that 71% of mouthrinse users believed their rinse contained fluoride⁹ when only approximately 25% of mouthwashes actually did.¹⁰

A Brand you can trust

ACT has been providing patients with mouthrinse options for more than 30 years. Every ACT rinse contains fluoride — guaranteed. ACT is the only over-the-counter mouthrinse brand with fluoride in every bottle, so patients can be confident they are accessing anti-caries benefits. ACT has rinses for adults and children, ages 6+.

ACT is an easy and affordable way to help strengthen teeth, prevent tooth decay, and deliver fluoride to places that brushing may miss. It is also the #1 dentist recommended over-the-counter fluoride mouthrinse. ACT has mouthrinses for a variety of patient needs, including caries prevention, dry mouth, and whitening. n

References

1. Dye B, Thornton-Evans G, Li X, Iafolla T. Dental caries and tooth loss in adults in the United States, 2011-2012. NCHS Data Brief. 2015:197:197.
2. American Dental Association. Cavities. Available at: mouthhealthy.org/​all-topics-a-z/​cavities. Accessed March 12, 2024.
3. Silk H, Douglass AB, Douglass JM, Silk L. Oral health during pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Apr 15;77(8):1139-44.
4. Mayo Clinic. Cavities/​tooth decay. Available at: mayoclinic.org/​diseases-conditions/​cavities/​symptoms-causes/​syc-20352892. Accessed May 3, 2024.
5. Cleveland Clinic. Caries. Available at: my.clevelandclinic.org/​health/​diseases/-cavities. Accessed March 12, 2024.
6. Bukhari OM. Dental caries experience and oral health related quality of life in working adults. Saudi Dent J. 2020;32:382-389.
7. Botelho J, Mascarenhas P, Viana J, et al. An umbrella review of the evidence linking oral health and systemic noncommunicable diseases. Nat Commun. 2022;13:7614.
8. Nassar Y, Brizuela M. The role of fluoride on caries prevention. StatPearls. March 19, 2023.
9. Acosta Shopper Survey, April 2023.
10. IRI, Total US + C, 52 W/​E 12-3-23, based on % of units sold.

ACT^®
actoralcarepro.com
Use as directed.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. June/July 2024; 22(4):25