Tips on Rinsing and the Benefits of Fluoride

Rinse your way to fewer cavities

Used daily, fluoride dental rinses provide excellent protection against cavities along with brushing, flossing and drinking fluoridated water. Rinsing is one of the fastest and easiest ways to keep your teeth, and your children's teeth, healthy and strong.

There's proof!

Independent clinical studies show that children who use a daily non-prescription fluoride rinse reduce cavities up to 40%. That's over and above the protection they receive from regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water. For this reason, dental professionals recommend that people over the age of six use a fluoridated rinse daily.

Fluoride rinses aren't just for kids

Fluoride rinses can be especially helpful for adults with receding gums. The fact is, a fluoride rinse aids in the replacement of lost minerals and the overall strengthening of teeth.

When gums recede, they expose the area of your teeth that's not protected by hard enamel. This area becomes especially susceptible to cavities. A fluoride rinse is shown to reduce root cavities significantly over brushing with a fluoride toothpaste alone.

Your teeth use fluoride in different ways

If you live in an area with fluoridated drinking water or brush with fluoridated toothpaste, you may think a fluoride rinse is overdoing it. It has been shown, however, that fluoride rinses actually provide supplemental benefits.

Drinking water, for instance, is called systemic fluoride, which is swallowed and works from the inside out. On the other hand, fluoride rinses and toothpaste are called topical fluorides, which work from the outside in. Together, these three provide maximum cavity protection.

What's the difference?

Mouthwashes - Most antiseptic mouthwashes provide only a temporary reduction of the amount of bacteria in the mouth and freshen your breath.
Fluoride rinses - A fluoride rinse, used daily, provides a different effect than mouthwash. Though both are capable of freshening your breath, fluoride rinses have a therapeutic effect in that they actually strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to cavities.
Dental fluoride treatments - A dental fluoride treatment, applied in the dentist's office, provides your teeth with a concentrated dose of fluoride.

However, for optimal benefit, teeth need to be strengthened with fluoride on a daily basis, in conjunction with professional treatments.

Keys to effective rinsing

1. For best results, rinse every day, especially before bedtime. This way, the fluoride will have a chance to work longer.

2. Squeeze 10 ml into the dosage meter, then into a cup.

3. Swish the rinse around in your mouth for about 60 seconds. Do not swallow.
Then, spit out.

4. Do not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after rinsing. This will give the fluoride rinse enough time to provide its full protection.

Tips to keep your teeth and gums their healthiest

Visit your dentist regularly. Regular visits are the best way to detect gum disease and tooth decay in their early stages - when they're easiest to treat.
Follow a healthy diet. Eat a balanced diet containing foods from the five major food groups. Dental professionals recommend limiting snacks between meals.
Brush twice a day. The morning and before bed are good times to brush.
Use a high quality, ADA Accepted soft bristle toothbrush. One that's comfortable in your hand as well as in your mouth. And remember to replace your brush every three months, or sooner if the bristles are worn.
Use an ADA Accepted fluoride toothpaste. Adults should use a small amount. Children should use a pea-sized dab.
Clean in between your teeth every day. Brushing alone doesn't reach everywhere! Proper flossing or the use of interdental cleaners like STIM-U-DENT® Plaque Removers are important to clean areas that toothbrushes can't reach.
Use a fluoride rinse daily. This goes for both kids over age six and adults. Regular use of a fluoride rinse is shown to reduce root cavities up to 71% and children's cavities up to 40% over brushing with a fluoride toothpaste alone.
Consult your dentist. Questions, concerns or advice on oral care? Always consult your dentist.

Rinsing Away Cavities Has Never Been So Refreshing.

Ask your dentist or hygienist about JOHNSON & JOHNSON REACH®, ACT® FLUORIDE ANTI-CAVITY TREATMENT and other JOHNSON & JOHNSON REACH® Oral Care products that can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Or, for more information, call the Consumer Information Center toll-free at (800) 526-3967 (8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST).

This information is from a booklet that is one in a series of four Johnson & Johnson Oral Care "Tips" booklets from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. Professional Division.

Check out our
new Blog!

New Press Articles!