EVIDENCE FOR MOUTH RINSES

Evidence base for antibacterial mouth rinses

Review of six-month studies of antibacterial mouth rinse1

Product

Number of studies

Significant plaque reduction (%)

Essential oils (LISTERINE®)

24

12–56

Chlorhexidine 0.12%

6

22–61

Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.045–0.05%

5

7–16

Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.07%

2

7–16

Stannous fluoride

2

Significant reduction in only one study

Adapted from table, Biol Ther Dent 2009.

Different compounds have different levels of evidence available from published studies.

References

  1. Biological Therapies in Dentistry 2009; 24(Supplement 2): 1–4.