THE HYGIENE MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE MAILBAG is a monthly feature of the e-newsletter, Pearls for Your Practice: The Product Navigator. Each month, Colleen Olson, RDH, BBA, the editorial director of the Hygiene Product Navigator, will answer reader-submitted questions to help you navigate your dental hygiene product decisions (and more!).
This month, she discusses posttreatment mouth rinses for periodontal patients, such as Peridex (3M Oral Care), Gum Paroex (Sunstar), PerioMed (3M Oral Care), and CloSys (Rowpar Pharmaceuticals).
Question
Do I have any options other than Peridex when it comes to posttreatment mouth rinses for my periodontal patients?
Answer
Great question! The answer is yes! Peridex (0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) by 3M Oral Care is a commonly used antimicrobial mouth rinse for patients with moderate to severe gingivitis and periodontitis. Peridex is prescription-only and comes in a mint flavor.
One alternative that is very similar is Gum Paroex (0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) mouth rinse from Sunstar. Paroex differs from Peridex by being alcohol-free. This is a great feature for patients in recovery from addiction and for those who have a hard time tolerating the burning sensation of mouth rinses containing alcohol. Paroex is also prescription-only and mint-flavored.
Another alternative to Peridex is the 3M Oral Care's PerioMed (0.63% stannous fluoride) oral rinse. One distinctive feature of this mouth rinse is that it is a concentrate and must be diluted with water just before use. This helps ensure the correct amount of medication is used. This rinse provides antimicrobial action while preventing decay and controlling sensitivity. PerioMed is also alcohol-free and comes in two flavors, mint and tropical fruit. It can also be used as an adjunct to Peridex.
One unique option is CloSys from Rowpar Pharmaceuticals. This product is available over-the-counter at grocery stores and drugstores in an unflavored rinse and a gentle mint rinse. CloSys contains a patented, stabilized chlorine dioxide ingredient that reduces bacteria and can be used as part of a daily home care routine. CloSys Silver has added fluoride and helps protect against cavities and dry mouth in patients who are older or those who have special needs.
There are many other mouth rinses available as well. It would be worth looking into a couple options to have at your office for posttreatment periodontal patients and any other patients who could benefit from a mouth rinse. Patients and their needs are so diverse that it is unlikely that a single product could ever be the best fit for everyone.
More reading
September 2017 | Should you be using fluoride varnish, foam, or gel?
August 2017 | Remineralizing root surfaces
July 2017 | Updated guidelines on fruit juice for infants, children, adolescents
Editor's note: Do you have a question for Colleen? Is there a product you'd like to see her review? Or would you like to submit your own hygiene product article? Send an email to [email protected]. You might just see it in the Hygiene Product Navigator! If you're not a Product Navigator subscriber, click here to sign up.
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