What is bleaching?

Bleaching is used to correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining.  People typically have their teeth whitened to improve their appearance.  When people have a brighter smile, they tend to smile more often and their confidence shines through.

What causes tooth discoloration?

Tooth discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea, soda or smoking.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Though not a permanent solution, teeth whitening is very effective with results that can last for years.  Depending on your personal habits, touch-up kits can be used every 6 to 12 months to enhance and maintain whitening results.

What in-office whitening services do you offer?

We provide an in-office bleaching treatment consisting of a 38% hydrogen peroxide gel applied in two to four 15-minute sessions conducted during a single visit.  The whitening product contains potassium nitrate to help minimize sensitivity associated with the bleaching process.

Compared to other bleaching systems, sensitivity is not a concern for most patients with the bleaching product that we use.  Most patients are able to go through three to four rounds of treatment in a single visit.  Most patients achieve changes of at least 2 real Vita shades whiter. We recommend a home-tray follow-up after any in-office whitening for optimal results.

What else do I need to consider?

Remember that bleaching is a cosmetic procedure and is not a substitute to dental treatment for any underlying dental health issues.  Also, crowns, fillings, dentures, cavities, and bridges will not whiten or change color with bleaching.  Bleaching can whiten your natural teeth but will not whiten fillings or ceramic restorations.  Also be aware that all teeth do not whiten the same amount so there will be some variation in whiteness as exists with your natural teeth.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment contact Sherborn Family Dental at (508) 545-1050.  Check back again for future blog posts covering take-home whitening products. 

FAQ 1: How do people get their teeth so white?

Answer:  Often, veneers or crowns are how people get their teeth so white.  Bleaching products also help to whiten the appearance of teeth. For most patients over-the-counter products such as tooth pastes and rinses will not produce the desired results because the ingredients used to whiten the teeth are not held in contact with the tooth long enough to cause a noticeable change.  Custom bleaching trays made by your dental office that isolate the teeth and bleaching solution will keep the chemical in contact with the tooth producing superior results.  In-office bleaching treatments also isolate the teeth and whitening solution for the necessary time to whiten the teeth.

FAQ 2: Will bleaching my teeth damage them?

Answer:  Products purchased from your dental office are tested and safe for use according to the manufacturer's specific directions.  Products that are not sold through dental offices do not undergo the same scrutiny and are not backed by the American Dental Association.  In most cases whitening procedures performed by dental offices contain fluoride in the solution which strengthens the tooth and protects them from post-op sensitivity.

FAQ 3: Will my dental insurance cover bleaching services?

Answer:  No, in most cases whitening your teeth is considered cosmetic and not a covered benefit under your dental insurance. Occasionally flexible spending accounts may be used to pay for whitening treatments but you will need to check the terms of your employer's flexible spending account.

FAQ 4: Will whitening products lighten my existing dental work such as fillings and crowns?

Answer:  No, unfortunately fillings and ceramic restorations will not really lighten with any bleaching method.  If you are unhappy with the shade of previous dental work the only way to improve the esthetics is to replace the work or to use a veneer.

FAQ 5: If I bleach my teeth how long will they maintain the lighter shade?

Answer:  Tooth-lightening results can be effected by your diet and your daily habits (i.e., smoking, drinking staining beverages, etc). Effects can last somewhat indefinitely depending on your diet and habits. Occasional whitening touch-up procedures may be necessary to maintain your desired level of whitening.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment contact Sherborn Family Dental at (508) 545-1050.  Please check our Sherborn Family Dental blog again as we will be writing additional blog posts on specific whitening services that we offer.

2.         Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Don’t let your child go to sleep with a pacifier or bottle filled with anything but water. When teeth are frequently exposed to sugar-containing fluids (including breast milk and formula) for long periods, the potential for decay increases dramatically.

3.         Avoid Sugar
Understand that if your child ingests sugars, it will take the saliva a minimum of 30 minutes to neutralize the acidity that is created by decay-producing bacteria. A sugary snack every hour can mean your child’s mouth is always acidic, increasing the chances for tooth decay.

4.         Make a Dental Appointment
Your child should see a dentist around the time of his/her first birthday and then regularly thereafter. Your dentist will teach you how to prevent dental disease, check for cavities in the primary teeth and watch for developmental problems, and set a positive precedent for future visits.  Ask your dentist about dental sealants and fluoride applications to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants can prevent food from getting stuck in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces and topical fluoride will strengthen the enamel against decay.

5.         Check Your Water
Determine if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated. If it is not, discuss supplement options with your dentist. Keep in mind that toothpastes and various foods may also contain fluoride.  Also, if you live in a town with fluoridated water but you only drink bottled water or other bottled beverages you aren't getting the benefit of the water fluoride program. 

Here are some water fluoridation statistics for Sherborn, MA and certain neighboring communities:

Source:  Delta Dental of Massachusetts (www.deltadentalma.com/dental_plans/towns.asp)

If you have questions about your child's dental care, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lily Ling at Sherborn Family Dental.

Acid reflux is quite common and causes chronic heartburn. The stomach contents, including acid, leak into the esophagus and can work their way back up into the mouth, causing a burning sensation.

Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve tooth enamel or soften the tooth surface, slowly wearing it down layer by layer.  Once the outer coating of your teeth (known as enamel) is gone, it is gone forever.   Once the damage becomes severe the tooth may need a crown or veneer.

What helps prevent tooth damage in people with acid reflux?

Saliva is a good defense mechanism since it can neutralize acid.  Saliva contains small amounts of calcium and phosphate ions that can reduce the damage of the tooth.  To keep your saliva flowing throughout the day, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You also could stimulate saliva production by using artificial saliva substitutes such as Biotene.

However, there is a limit to what saliva can do. 

Here are some tips for dealing with acid reflux:

• Don't brush immediately after an acid reflux episode. This can spread the acid over your teeth without neutralizing it.  
• Use a fluoride rinse to neutralize the acid.   
• Desensitizing toothpaste can make teeth damaged by acid erosion feel better.      
• Try chewing gum that contains Xylitol, which reduces acid in the mouth and acts as a cariostatic (e.g., helps halt the development of cavities). Saliva containing Xylitol is less acidic than saliva bathed with other sugar products.  When the oral environment is more basic,  naturally occurring calcium and phosphate ions from saliva can be incorporated into the enamel.  In this way, saliva containing Xylitol can help remineralize enamel before dental caries (cavities) can form.

If you have questions on this topic, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lily Ling at Sherborn Family Dental.

Stay hydrated. If you can't brush your teeth after a meal, drinking water can speed the process of cleaning bacteria and debris from between your teeth.  To keep your saliva flowing throughout the day, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You also could stimulate saliva production by using artificial saliva substitutes such as Biotene.

Don't drink too much coffee. Coffee is a difficult smell to remove from your mouth.  You can freshen your breath by rinsing your mouth with water after drinking your morning coffee.  This will help rebalance your mouth's pH levels. Rinsing with water also works after meals.  Swishing the water around may help remove the food particles left in your mouth after a meal and prevent bad breath.

Avoid soda and other sugary beverages.  Consuming an acidic beverage, including soda, coffee, or alcohol, will release compounds into your bloodstream that will, in turn, release odors through your breath. Plus, acidic drinks lower the pH level in your mouth: a lower pH level allows caries causing bacteria to flourish and release volatile sulfur compounds.  Rinsing with water also helps with sugary beverages as well.    

Chew sugarless gum. Doing so within an hour after a meal can help with saliva flow. Remember to use sugar-free gum -- chewing gum with sugar increases caries and the sugar sits on your teeth and contributes to bad breath.  Your mouth can become dry during the day.  Dry mouth -- whether it's at midnight or noon -- can quickly cause bad breath. You need plenty of saliva because it helps clean your mouth; it's naturally antibacterial, and it washes away food particles.

Sugarless breath mints. Sugar-free mints won't help treat the cause of bad breath but help to temporarily mask the odor.  Avoid products that contain sugar to prevent the accumulation of plaque.

Prevent bad breath by brushing your teeth and flossing twice a day. Remember to brush your tongue to remove any trapped food and plaque caught on the surface of your tongue.  Then rinse thoroughly with water or mouthwash.

Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. These can foul your breath.

Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol can lead to a dry mouth. Too much beer, wine, and hard liquor can make your breath reek for up to eight to ten hours after you finish drinking.

Prevent bad breath by visiting your dentist on a regular basis for a complete examination of your teeth and gums and a thorough cleaning.  Preventing bad breath is achievable when you have dental problems treated as they occur, such as tooth decay, gum abscesses, and abscessed teeth.  The American Dental Association recommends that children and adults have a professional cleaning regularly. For most, twice a year should suffice. For others who experience tartar buildup more quickly, four times a year may be necessary.

It's also possible that your bad breath is caused by a medical condition, not just the bacteria in your mouth. Although mouth odor is often associated with gum disease or tooth decay, it can occasionally signal health problems such as respiratory or sinus infections, bronchitis, diabetes, or malfunctions of the liver or kidney.  Bad breath is also linked to stress, stomach problems, low fluid intake, and other conditions, so if your bad breath persists, consult a physician to see if an underlying problem exists.

We are now offering a composite veneer system called Componeers.  Componeers, manufactured in the United States by Coltene, are a prefabricated composite veneer system.  Unlike with porcelain veneers which require several visits to the dentist's office (separated by time for laboratory work to fabricate the veneers themselves), the dentist can customize the Componeers in-house and deliver them to the patient in a single visit. 

The pre-shaped Componeers are available in different sizes and are easy to use for single-tooth reconstruction as well as complete reconstruction in the anterior (front) region. They can be customized to individual requirements with composite at any time.

Some of the benefits of Componeers:

• quality dental restorations with excellent aesthetic results;
• less than half as expensive as porcelain veneers (due to fewer office visits and less laboratory work);
• require only one visit to complete, reducing treatment time and treatment stress;
• no impressions or laboratory work necessary;
• minimally invasive removal of tooth substance;
• repairable with the exact material that the veneers are made out of;
• polish to a high luster; and
• very stain resistant.

What are Componeers?

Componeers are polymerised, pre-fabricated nano-hybrid-composite enamel-shells, which combine the advantages of direct composite restoration with those of laboratory-made veneers.  The extremely thin veneer coatings from 0.3 mm allow a high level of conservation of hard tooth substance during preparation. The shiny and naturally designed surface adds a look of vitality to the restoration.

Can Componeers be repaired if chipped or damaged?

Componeers can be quickly and easily repaired with composite, or if damaged extensively, a new Componeer.  The composite materials used for any repairs are identical to the source materials so the end result of any repair is optimal.  Porcelain veneers cannot be properly repaired with composite.  In many cases a new restoration is required.

For more information, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ling.

How does DentalVibe Provide Pain Free Injections?

Research shows that when vibration is applied as a counter-stimulation to an anesthetic injection, it reaches the brain before the pain sensation does, blocking the patient's brain from feeling the injection.

DentalVibe uses pulse technology to close the pain gate to the brain and block the discomfort of dental injections.

The micro-sonic oscillations of DentalVibe's comfort tips are pulsed in a controlled synchronized wave pattern sending a soothing percussive stimulation deep into the oral mucosa, gently exciting the submucosal sensory nerve endings.  This pulsed re-stimulation maintains a closure of the pain gate, blocking the pain of an injection.

There is a neurological "gate" located within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord that can either block pain signals or permit them to travel up the spinothalamic tract to the brain.  The sensation of touch or vibration travel very quickly along thick, myelinated, A beta nerve fibers at 75 meters/second.  In contrast, the sensation of pain travels slowly along thin, unmyelinated, C nerve fibers at 2 meters/second.

When occurring at the same time, the vibrational sensation reaches the sensory area of the brain first, causing a release of inhibitory interneurons, preventing the activation of projection neurons, resulting in a closure of the gate to the sensation of pain.

Benefits to the Patient

Dr. Ling uses these new technologies to improve patient comfort and reduce the stress of receiving dental injections.  Depending on the type of procedure, she might use either the DentalVibe or the STA dental injection system.  Either way the result for the patient is enhanced comfort during the procedure. 

It is crucial to take proper care of your dental health during pregnancy.  Increases in hormone levels during pregnancy can cause your gums to soften and bleed, leaving you more susceptible to gum disease, sensitivity, and other oral health problems.  Routine exams and cleanings during your pregnancy are perfectly safe and recommended by the American Dental Association.

Some oral health symptoms that you should watch for during pregnancy:

• tender, red, and swollen gums;
• bleeding gums; and
• bad breath.  

Do not ignore dental problems since they can take a toll on your health and your baby’s health.

When to visit the dentist during pregnancy

The best times to complete dental work are: prior to conception; during the second trimester; and early in the third trimester.  When you decide to have a baby make an appointment with your dentist to complete all necessary dental work pre-conception.  If you are already pregnant, try to schedule your regular dental cleaning and any necessary treatment  during the second trimester.  Routine x-rays can usually be postponed until after the birth.

Let your dentist know you are pregnant.  Routine treatments (fillings and crowns) and sometimes emergency work (root canal or tooth extraction) should be completed to reduce the chance of infection.  If dental work is performed during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal. Fetal organ development occurs during the first trimester and it is best to avoid all potential risks at this time.  Once you reach the third trimester, it may be difficult to lay on your back for an extended period of time. 

Elective treatments such as teeth whitening and cosmetic procedures should be postponed until after the birth. While the risks are minimal, the safest course of action is to defer cosmetic procedures.

Oral health tips during pregnancy

• Brush and floss.  Due to enhanced risk of gum disease from hormone changes, it is more important than ever to brush and floss your teeth during your pregnancy. Brush regularly after meals, at least twice daily.  Floss at least once per day.
• Rinse after being sick.  Morning sickness is common and the acid can be very damaging to the surface of your teeth.  Avoid brushing immediately after being sick.  The acid from your stomach can cause tooth erosion which will worsen with brushing.  Drink some water and rinse with mouthwash to thoroughly flush out the acid before brushing your teeth.
• Regular Exams and Cleanings.  Continue to have your regular exams and cleanings during your pregnancy.  Try to schedule these during the second trimester.

Oral cancer is not rare

Close to 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer in the United States this year.  It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly one person per hour, 24 hours per day.  

Approximately half of people with oral cancer will live more than five years after they are diagnosed and treated.  If the cancer is found early (before it has spread to other tissues), the cure rate is close to 80-90%.  However, more than half of oral cancers have already spread by the time that the cancer is detected.  In most cases it has spread to the throat or neck. 

Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because it may not be noticed by the patient in its early stages as it can frequently spread without resulting in pain or symptoms that people might easily recognize.  Screening for oral cancer is important and is part of a regular dental examination. 

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

See your doctor about any skin lesion, lump, or ulcer that does not resolve itself within 14 days and appears on the tongue, lip, or other mouth areas.

Oral cancer often exhibits the following characteristics:

• small sores in the mouth;
• tongue problems;
• difficulty swallowing or speaking;
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck;
• usually painless in the early stages;
• a burning sensation or pain in the later stages.

Younger, non-smokers are the fasting growing population for oral cancer

For decades, oral cancer had most often occurred in older people who had a history of using tobacco products.  Today that is no longer the case.  A virus called Human Papilloma Virus version 16 (HPV16) has replaced tobacco as the number one cause of oral cancer.  This is one of the same viruses that are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer in women.  HPV16 is now the leading cause of oral cancer and is found in approximately 60% of newly diagnosed patients.

This has also impacted the demographics of who is getting the disease.  It is no longer the domain of those over age 50 who have smoked a decade or more of their lives.  The fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population are people in the 25-50 age range who have never been smokers.  Evidence suggests that the HPV16 virus can be sexually transmitted between partners and accounts for the increase in young victims of oral cancer who do not have a history of using tobacco.

While HPV16 has become the most common cause of oral cancer, additional risk factors continue to include smoking, using chewing tobacco or dip, and heavy drinking of alcohol.    

Additional information

For more information about oral cancer visit www.oralcancerfoundation.org or speak with your doctor.

Sherborn Family Dental offers treatment for a range of minor to moderate orthodontic issues through the use of clear aligners by ClearCorrect.  Clear aligners can treat a range of issues without the disadvantages of traditional braces.      

Like traditional metal braces, clear aligners can straighten your teeth to correct a range of conditions including crowding, spacing, crossbite, overbite, and underbite.  For minor to moderate conditions, the cost of treatment using clear aligners is generally equivalent or less expensive than traditional braces.  However, clear aligners enjoy several advantages over traditional braces: 

• the aligners are nearly invisible while being worn;
• treatment uses comfortable plastic aligners rather than metal braces, reducing irritation to your gums and cheek;
• you can eat all the foods that you currently enjoy;
• you can remove the clear plastic aligners when you want;
• you can brush and floss your teeth normally; and
• lost or broken aligners can be easily and quickly replaced at little to no additional cost.

How the process works

You and your dentist evaluate your teeth and discuss the goals you have for your smile.  Once you establish if clear aligners are the right treatment option for you, your dentist will take dental impressions, photos, and x-rays of your teeth . 

Your dentist sends those impressions, photos, and x-rays to ClearCorrect with a prescription for your custom aligners.  ClearCorrect then uses your records to create 3D models of your teeth.  Working together, your dentist and ClearCorrect map out a complete treatment plan of gradual adjustment that takes your teeth from where they are currently to where you want them to be.  Once the modeling has been completed, you will be able to preview the projected results of your treatment in a computer representation of your teeth before and after treatment.

Once you are satisfied with the projected results shown in your treatment plan, ClearCorrect fabricates your custom aligners and sends them to your dentist for delivery to you.

Wearing the Clear Aligners

You should wear your aligners all the time (22 hours per day), except while eating and drinking or during daily tooth care, such as brushing and flossing.  The aligners are so clear they are barely noticeable so they won't have an impact on your daily life.  Aligner by aligner, you will be able to see the difference as your teeth slowly adjust and align to your target smile.  You'll visit your dentist periodically for checkups to see how you are progressing.

Unlike the main invisible braces manufacturer on the market, if your teeth aren't aligning as laid out in your treatment plan, you and your dentist can make a midcourse correction to get the process back on track without any additional cost to you.  Sometimes teeth move faster or slower than planned, or the upper and lower teeth don't progress at the same rate.  This is normal and treatment can be adjusted accordingly.  In some cases your dentist will take new impressions of your teeth to adjust the treatment going forward.

You need to wear the aligners 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, for best results.  If you don't wear the aligners as prescribed, the treatment will take longer than scheduled.  The length of treatment depends on the severity of your specific case but average treatment length is about a year to a year and a half.

Similar to braces, if you move through the aligners too quickly between steps, they can cause unnecessary discomfort.  The treatment has been designed to balance patient comfort and overall treatment time.  Generally, no individual tooth will be moved more than 0.3 mm per step, and ClearCorrect recommends that each aligner be worn for three weeks until the next aligner is provided. 

Information about the Clear Aligners

The aligners are made from medical-grade polyurethane without BPA or phthalates, and have been approved by the FDA.  The aligner material has been formulated to achieve exceptional clarity and stain-resistance.  From a normal viewing distance, people will rarely notice that you are wearing clear aligners.  The aligners have a smooth surface, making them less visible and easy to clean.

Information about ClearCorrect, the Manufacturer of the Clear Aligners

ClearCorrect fabricates your custom aligners at its facility in Houston, Texas.  ClearCorrect was founded by dentists in 2006 to serve the dental and orthodontic industry by providing a superior and more affordable clear aligner system.

Next Steps

To speak with Dr. Lily Ling at Sherborn Family Dental about treatment using clear aligners, call us at (508) 545-1050 to schedule a free consultation.

While the acids and sugars contained in fruit juices, ciders, and wine can also reduce the surface hardness of tooth enamel, research indicates that soda is much more damaging per unit consumed.   Research has shown that the erosive potential of soda is 10 times that of fruit juices.  Further research reports that drinking any type of soft drink damages teeth due to the citric acid and/or phosphoric acid in the beverages.  Citric acid is the most erosive acid found in soft drinks and is the most common acid found in non-cola drinks.  

Saliva provides a natural defense mechanism, and regular tooth brushing also helps remove the damaging acids. However, typical soft drink consumption – drinking from large (i.e., 20 ounce) beverage containers over a long period of time – gives teeth a fresh coating over time as you consume the soft drink.

Diet Soda Isn’t Any Better for Your Teeth Than Regular Soda

The problem with soda isn’t so much the sugar itself, it’s the acidity.  Drinking sugar free sodas is not the solution since they contain similar levels of acid – diet sodas are as acidic as sugary soft drinks.  Diet sodas may reduce your calories consumed but they aren’t much better for your teeth.

What You Can Do

You can benefit from reducing the number of soft drinks you consume as well as from proper dental care.  Steps you can take:

• Substitute different beverages: choose beverages containing less sugar and acid than soda – these include water, milk, and real fruit juice (not 10% juice in a sugary mix).
• Moderation:  consume sugary beverages in moderation, finish them quickly, and drink through a straw (which takes the liquid to the back of your mouth).  One of the worst things you can do is sip a very sugary and acidic beverage all day.
• Rinse with water after consuming a soda:  flush your mouth out with water to remove the acid left on the enamel of your teeth.
• Use toothpaste and a mouth rinse that contains flouride: fluoride tooth paste reduces cavities and strengthens tooth enamel. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash also helps. 
• Get professionally applied fluoride treatment: your dentist can apply fluoride directly to your teeth.  This is particularly important for Sherborn residents since the town uses private wells rather than a fluoridated public water supply.

Sodas are tough on your teeth. You don’t need to stop drinking all soft drinks but by reducing the amount you drink, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeking help from your dentist, you can largely counteract sodas effects and enjoy better dental health.

How the STA system works. 

Milestone Scientific’s STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System unit combines patented, state-of-the-art computer-controlled injection technology with your dentist’s training to achieve more precise injections, improved anesthesia delivery, and materially enhanced patient comfort levels. The STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System using the Wand hand-piece is a computer-controlled dental injection system. The flow rate of the local anesthetic is controlled by a computer. This means that the injection is guaranteed to be slow and steady and therefore comfortable. It means less discomfort for you as most of the sting from a traditional dental injection comes from the anesthesia solution being delivered too quickly. 

The STA system base unit looks like a computer modem and the Wand hand-piece looks like a pen with a small needle at the tip. With the aid of state-of-the-art technology, the Wand delivers exactly the anesthetic you need at exactly the right rate make your visit as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible.

2. “Tooth loss is a normal part of aging.” While tooth decay does increase with age there are many people who reach old age with all of their original teeth so tooth loss is not automatic. If you have taken good care of your teeth all of your life then you have a much greater chance of retaining your teeth even into your later years than someone who has neglected theirs. Tooth loss is usually caused by a condition of the gums (periodontal disease) which is the loss of connective tissue and bone that support the teeth. Gum disease starts before you can see it, usually from lack of regular dental care and poor dental hygiene. Tooth loss can be prevented or reduced through education, early diagnosis, and regular dental care.

3. “Bleeding gums are normal.” Gum disease often happens during the aging process. It can result in swollen gums that bleed even while you brush your teeth. Loss of teeth can occur when food is trapped between the teeth and gums in tiny pockets. You might be tempted to brush your teeth as vigorously as you can but gums are made of delicate tissue, so brushing harder could actually damage your gums. If you have periodontal disease, you should seek treatment to avoid tooth loss.

Three Simple Solutions to Mitigate these Issues

1. Brush and floss. It is best to brush with an extra soft to soft tooth brush and paste. Be sure to brush your teeth, gum line, and tongue thoroughly after every meal. Flossing every day gets rid of debris that tooth brushes can’t reach and is essential to good dental hygiene.

2. Electric tooth brushes and irrigators. Electric tooth brushes are often easier for senior citizens to handle and are very effective in cleaning teeth. Irrigators remove debris from teeth that tooth brushes can miss but can also damage gums if it pushes food particles into gum pockets.

3. Rinse. As the flow of saliva is reduced with age, it’s more likely that food particles will damage your teeth and gums. Rinsing gets rid of these particles. Since some mouth washes are irritating to the gums, dilute it if necessary.