Caring for more than your smile
Caring for more than your smile
Many of us overlook our oral health. But our mouths matter more than we might realize.
The good news? Good oral care doesn’t need to be complicated. A few simple steps, repeated every day, can help you take control of your oral health and care more effectively for your mouth. [1,8]
At LISTERINE®, we believe better oral health should be within reach of more people. That’s why we’ve created Oral Care Counts. Here, you can learn why oral care counts, see what a complete three-step oral care routine looks like, find answers to common oral care questions and explore practical resources designed to help turn good intentions into everyday action.
Why Oral Care Counts
Why Oral Care Counts
Oral disease affects nearly half the world’s population. And cases are rising. [2,3,15]
New global research estimates that oral disease cases increased from 3.62 billion in 2019 to 3.73 billion in 2023. [15] Yet the mouth is still easy to overlook, often until something starts to hurt or go wrong. [1,2]
Poor oral health can mean much more than a problem tooth. It can cause pain and discomfort and affect how you eat, speak, feel and live – with a real impact on your wellbeing and quality of life. [1–4]
Your mouth is part of your body, too. Gum disease can be associated with wider health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. An association does not mean that one directly causes the other, but it does underline why we should look at oral health as part of overall health, rather than separate from it. [5,6]
Prevention makes a big difference. Good daily oral care can help prevent oral disease, while regular dental care can help identify and manage problems early. [1,7,8]
That is why Oral Care Counts exists: to help more people understand why their mouths matter and put better oral health within reach. Understanding is the first step towards better care.
Complete oral care: a 3-step routine
Good oral health is built on simple daily habits. [8]
Complete oral care brings together three complementary steps: brushing, flossing and rinsing. [8–12]
Step 1: Brush
Step 1: Brush
What brushing your teeth does
Brushing physically removes the plaque that builds up on the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as along the gum line. [8]
Why brushing your teeth matters
Plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen your tooth enamel – the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. [8]
Step 2: Floss
Step 2: Floss
What flossing does
Flossing removes plaque and food from between your teeth and just below the gum line – areas your toothbrush cannot reach. [8]
Why flossing matters
Plaque left between the teeth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing every day helps protect your teeth and gums in these hard-to-reach areas. If you find floss difficult to use, your dental professional can recommend another way to clean between your teeth. [8]
Step 3: Rinse
Step 3: Rinse
What rinsing with mouthwash does
A clinically proven LISTERINE® essential-oil mouthrinse reaches areas across your mouth, including the gums and tongue, helping to control plaque bacteria that brushing and flossing can leave behind. [9–12]
Why rinsing with mouthwash matters
Plaque left behind can contribute to gingivitis – the early stage of gum disease. Depending on your oral health needs, adding this third step can provide additional plaque and gingivitis control compared with brushing and flossing alone. This helps you care more completely for your whole mouth. [9–11]
Always follow the directions on the product label.
Why add a third step?
Why add a third step?
Brushing targets your teeth – just 25% of your mouth.* A mouthrinse can reach other areas, like your gums and tongue. [12,13]
Every mouth is different, so your routine should reflect your needs and any oral health concerns. Your dental professional can help you choose the right approach and mouthrinse for you.
*Based on teeth surface-area measurements.
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Oral care FAQs
No. Brushing twice a day is essential because it removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, but your toothbrush cannot clean between them. Flossing does reach those spaces, so the two work together as the foundations of good oral care. [8]
Even after brushing and flossing, some plaque can still be left behind. Depending on your needs, a clinically proven alcohol-based mouthwash can help control plaque and gingivitis in areas they miss. [9–12]
Because mouthwash is a liquid, it can reach areas brushing and flossing may miss. What it does once there depends on the formula.
Mouthwashes can freshen breath, help reduce plaque, help prevent tartar or protect teeth and gums. Some contain fluoride to help protect against cavities, while others can help prevent stains or whiten teeth. Always check the label to see what a particular mouthwash is designed to do. [12]
LISTERINE® essential-oil mouthrinse uses a clinically proven combination of essential oils to help control plaque bacteria, including in areas brushing and flossing can miss. Where appropriate to your needs, it can add an important third step to brushing and flossing, helping make the routine more complete and providing additional plaque and gingivitis control compared with brushing and flossing alone. [9–11]
Always follow the directions on the label. For many adult LISTERINE® mouthwashes, use 20 ml, rinse it around your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Use it twice a day as the final step after brushing and flossing. Never swallow mouthwash. [13,14]
If you are unsure about when or how to use a particular mouthwash, ask your dental professional for advice.
Start with what you want it to help with – such as plaque and gum health, cavity protection, sensitivity, stains or fresh breath. Check the label and choose a mouthwash designed for that need. If you are unsure, or have an oral health concern, ask your dental professional. [12–14]
- World Health Organization. Global oral health status report: towards universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. ISBN 978-92-4-006148-4. Available at, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240061484
- World Health Organization. Oral health: questions and answers. 16 July 2024. Available at, https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/oral-health