How to order a mouth rinse before and after eating?

From the Guidelines

To order a mouth rinse before and after eating, I recommend rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash for approximately 1 minute, 4 times a day, and avoiding eating and drinking for at least 30 minutes after rinsing. This approach is supported by the ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of oral and gastrointestinal mucosal injury, which suggest rinsing the mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash upon awakening and at least four times a day after brushing, for ∼1 min with 15 ml mouthwash; gargling; and then spitting out 1. When considering the timing of mouth rinsing in relation to eating, it's essential to balance the need for oral hygiene with the potential disruption of the natural oral environment.

• Before eating, it may be beneficial to rinse the mouth to reduce bacteria and food particles that could exacerbate oral issues.
• After eating, waiting for a period before rinsing again allows the saliva to perform its natural buffering action, helping to neutralize acids and rebuild tooth enamel. Key considerations include:
• Using an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid dryness and irritation
• Rinsing for an adequate duration to effectively remove debris and reduce bacterial load
• Avoiding eating and drinking for a sufficient period after rinsing to prevent immediate re-contamination of the mouth The guidelines from 1 emphasize the importance of gentle oral care to prevent further irritation or injury, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those undergoing cancer treatment.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Follow these instructions unless otherwise instructed by your dental professional: ... For best results, do not eat, drink, or rinse for 30 minutes. Recommended use is twice daily, oral rinsing for 30 seconds, morning and evening after toothbrushing. ... Patients should be instructed not to rinse with water, or other mouthwashes, brush teeth, or eat immediately after using Paroex ®.

• The instructions for sodium fluoride indicate that patients should not eat, drink, or rinse for 30 minutes after use 2.
• The instructions for chlorhexidine indicate that patients should not eat immediately after using the mouth rinse, and it should be used after toothbrushing, twice daily in the morning and evening 3. The mouth rinse should be used after toothbrushing and before eating is not recommended immediately after rinsing.

From the Research

Ordering a Mouth Rinse

To order a mouth rinse before and after eating, consider the following factors:

• The type of mouth rinse to use, such as those containing sodium fluoride, chlorhexidine, or triclosan 4, 5, 6
• The concentration of the active ingredients, such as 0.05% NaF or 0.12% chlorhexidine 4, 5
• The frequency of use, such as daily or twice daily 4, 5, 6
• The individual's oral health needs, such as caries prevention or reduction of mutans streptococci count 4, 5

Preprocedural Mouth Rinses

For preprocedural mouth rinses, consider the following:

• Chlorhexidine 0.12% mouth rinse is effective in reducing aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms 7
• Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouth rinse is also effective, but less so than chlorhexidine 0.12% 7
• The efficacy of different mouth rinses can vary, so it's essential to choose the most effective one for the individual's needs 7, 8

Natural Mouth Rinses

For natural mouth rinses, consider the following:

• Garlic with lime mouth rinse is effective against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans 8
• Green tea mouth rinse has some antimicrobial efficacy, but is less effective than chlorhexidine or garlic with lime 8
• The efficacy of natural mouth rinses can vary, so further studies are needed to determine their effectiveness 8