Rinse, Floss, Brush: What Patients Will Actually Do (Ep 190)

Our recent Listerine-sponsored Oral Care Counts webinar was a highlight of National Dental Hygiene Month, and the oral health pros brought more questions than we had time to answer. So Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian and Dr. Ann Spolarich are back on Hygiene Rising to take them on. Only about a third of people floss, so what does that mean for disrupting biofilm at home? They explain why flossing and rinsing work together rather than compete, separate fact from myth on alcohol, essential oils and SLS in mouthrinse, and sort out what the research says about one- versus two-minute brushing. They also cover rinsing during pregnancy, the best order for a home care routine, and where nasal saline rinses fit in. The conversation closes with the growing role of hygienists in hospitals and nursing homes, where controlling inflammation is essential for whole-person care. Ultimately, the best routine is the one your patients will actually follow. Guests: JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA, Director of Education, Research and Advocacy, ADHA; Ann Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, A.T. Still University Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA Top Host Voting: https://tophost.org/2026/matt-crespin Rinse Resource Center: https://www.adha.org/rinse Recorded Webinar "Redefining Periodontal Disease Management": https://ow.ly/w7nm5105cut White Paper "Redefining the Management and Prevention of Periodontal Disease": https://www.adha.org/RedefiningPerioWhitePaper

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