Adequate oral hygiene is extremely important for the health of teeth and gums. Only regular and proper maintenance of oral hygiene can achieve satisfactory plaque control and prevent diseases caused by plaque: dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. The goal of all oral hygiene measures is to remove as much plaque as possible and delay its re-formation for as long as possible.

Antiseptic liquids, rinses, are a useful additional tool for maintaining oral hygiene, but they cannot replace brushing. All antiseptics, no matter how strong they are, have a very weak effect on the bacteria located inside dental plaque. Therefore, it is always necessary to mechanically remove the plaque by brushing, and only then use water. The goal of rinsing with water is to remove bacteria that remain after brushing and to slow down the re-formation of plaque. By reducing the number of bacteria, unpleasant breath is also prevented, although this is actually a side effect of water, not its main purpose.

Bad breath in the mouth can be the result of poor oral hygiene, deposits on the teeth and food residues on the rough surface of the mucous membrane of the tongue. Bacteria from dental plaque and those found on the surface of the tongue break down food residues and contribute to the development of sulfur compounds methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide, which are responsible for bad breath. Bad breath is also a consequence of diseases in the oral cavity such as gingivitis, periodontitis, fistulas and ulcers. Also, systemic diseases such as diseases of the respiratory or digestive system, sinus infections, pharyngitis or tonsillitis, kidney disease and diabetes can cause bad breath. If a systemic disease is the cause of halitosis, it should be treated.

In patients with dental implants, rinsing with water significantly reduces the appearance of plaque and gingivitis and thus maintains the health of the implants. After surgical procedures in the oral cavity, rinsing with water reduces inflammation, which shows a positive effect on wound healing. Rinses based on essential oils (e.g. Listerine) have no side effects, they are harmless and safe for long-term daily use, while rinses based on chlorhexidine should only be used on the recommendation of a dentist because they can stain the teeth and tongue. This chemical substance kills the bacteria that are the most dangerous for our gums.