Chemical agents to control biofilm formation in step 1 of care—Toothpastes and mouthwashes/concepts and challenges

Maintaining optimal oral hygiene is important for overall oral care, ensuring the well-being of teeth and their surrounding tissues. In addition, it promotes fresh breath and a pleasing smile. A key element of oral self-care is the daily use of toothpaste during regular brushing. This plays an important role in preventing tooth decay and addressing broader oral health concerns like periodontal diseases. Toothpaste ingredients offer significant benefits to oral health, particularly stannous fluoride, which contributes to the efficacy of toothpaste formulations by demonstrating notable anticariogenic and antibacterial properties. However, toothpaste has potential side effects, such as those caused by flavoring, and sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent known for its potential to irritate mucous membranes. Beyond toothpaste, the integration of mouthwash into daily oral care routines offers the potential to further improve overall oral hygiene. Chlorhexidine in mouthwash formulations stands out as an active ingredient that is highly effective. This paper investigates the effects of chemical plaque inhibitors where possible through comprehensive systematic evaluations of existing literature. It aimed to provide an understanding of how chemical agents used in oral self-care contribute to promoting and maintaining optimal oral hygiene.