Guarding against erosion

When softened by acids from food and beverages, the tooth surface is more vulnerable to damage by toothbrushing, especially when an abrasive toothpaste and an improper brushing technique is used.

It is important to reinforce the need for twice-daily brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and to review the patient’s brushing technique.

Rinsing with water after toothbrushing will negate the positive effect of fluoride in the mouth and wash it away.

Recommending an adjunctive high-fluoride mouthwash such as Listerine Enamel Guard can maintain optimum fluoride levels. An optimum short-term salivary pH level, which can be achieved using Listerine Total Care Enamel Guard, maximises fluoride uptake and mineral exchange. The pH level then returns rapidly to a level well above that for acid erosion to take place. The mouthwash contains 225ppm fluoride, which has been proven to increase fluoride levels above those for brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste alone.