{"id":59287,"date":"2026-07-10T10:26:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T08:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sepa.es\/sin-categorizar\/a-shared-position-to-optimise-the-prevention-of-periodontal-diseases\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:26:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T08:26:26","slug":"a-shared-position-to-optimise-the-prevention-of-periodontal-diseases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sepa.es\/en\/news\/a-shared-position-to-optimise-the-prevention-of-periodontal-diseases\/","title":{"rendered":"A shared position to optimise the prevention of periodontal diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"

International leaders have gathered at ISDH 2026, the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene, being held in Milan, to review two landmark oral health reports developed in Europe and the United States. Drawing on the same global scientific evidence, the reports jointly define the role of mouthwashes with clinically proven efficacy in the prevention of periodontal diseases.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Periodontal diseases affect more than 1 billion people worldwide and represent one of the leading global public health challenges.1<\/sup> Although they are largely preventable, their burden continues to increase.1<\/sup> At the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH)<\/strong> in Milan, experts presented, during a session organised by Kenvue<\/strong>, two reports developed independently, one in Europe and the other in North America. Both reach remarkably similar conclusions on how prevention strategies should evolve and on the role of mouthwashes with clinically proven efficacy as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The two documents are the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) White Paper<\/strong> on redefining the management and prevention of periodontal disease,2<\/sup> and the Principles for Oral Health<\/a><\/strong> report, promoted by the SEPA Foundation<\/strong>.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Independent reports, one shared conclusion<\/strong>
\nMost importantly, both reports were developed independently, by different organisations and in different parts of the world; nevertheless, they draw on the same body of scientific evidence and reach broadly aligned conclusions. Both documents are based on a common scientific foundation, including the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) S3-level clinical practice guidelines<\/strong>,4<\/sup> as well as recommendations from the American Dental Association<\/strong> and the American Academy of Periodontology.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The conclusion is consistent across all sources. Although mechanical plaque control remains the cornerstone of prevention, the use of a mouthwash may be considered as a measure to control gingival inflammation within a personalised therapeutic approach for certain patients<\/strong>, with essential oil<\/strong> formulations supported by one of the highest levels of available scientific evidence. <\/p>\n

Both reports position mouthwash as an adjunct to toothbrushing<\/strong>, never as a substitute, and recommend its use according to each patient’s individual risk.2,3<\/sup><\/p>\n

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The voices behind the consensus<\/strong>
\nFour international experts took part in the briefing session and delivered a consistent, consensus-based message. Professor Luigi Nibali<\/strong> (King’s College London) presented the scientific basis explaining why a preventable disease continues to increase and why gingivitis should be regarded as a health problem requiring attention. Dr Ana Molina<\/strong> (SEPA), who presented the Principles for Oral Health <\/strong>report, explained how the evidence set out in clinical guidelines has been translated into practical recommendations that professionals can easily apply in their day-to-day clinical work. Dr JoAnn Gurenlian<\/strong> (ADHA) summarised the main conclusion of the White Paper, stressing that dental hygienists are on the front line of periodontal disease prevention and explaining why the profession itself drove this recommendation. Simone Ruzario<\/strong>, president-elect of the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy, brought the discussion into everyday clinical practice, explaining how scientific evidence is changing the daily work of dental hygienists and dental therapists in practices around the world. <\/p>\n

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The role of mouthwash according to the reports<\/strong>
\nFrom the perspective of European scientific evidence, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) S3 clinical practice guidelines<\/strong> recognise certain antiseptics, including essential oil <\/strong>formulations, as being among the most effective options for use as a personalised adjunct to patients’ oral hygiene, helping to control gingival inflammation.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

The Principles for Oral Health<\/strong> report, meanwhile, concludes that the use of specific antiseptics as an adjunct to mechanical biofilm control is recommended for certain groups of patients in whom local or systemic factors make mechanical biofilm control insufficient to achieve and maintain periodontal health.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

In the United States, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)<\/strong> White Paper states that a mouthwash containing a fixed combination of four essential oils, used alongside toothbrushing and interdental cleaning with dental floss, significantly reduces whole-mouth plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding compared with toothbrushing alone. It also considers antiseptic mouthwash to be a simple, affordable and widely accessible adjunct to daily at-home oral hygiene.2<\/sup> <\/p>\n

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When and how to recommend it<\/strong>
\nThe practical message for oral health professionals is fully aligned in both reports.<\/p>\n