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Gains in oral health have been considerable in the last 50 years. However, by adolescence 68% of people have tooth decay and gingivitis is also prevalent, with 50% of US adults experiencing this around a minimum of three to four teeth. Brushing and flossing are typically considered to be the basic procedures required for good oral hygiene; yet oral hygiene is generally inadequately performed. Patient compliance issues related to brushing and flossing are well documented and well recognized. Rinsing offers an opportunity to reduce plaque and gingivitis, incremental to the reductions obtained by brushing and flossing alone. Use of a chemotherapeutic mouth rinse together with brushing and flossing as a three-step program may help to reduce plaque accumulation and prevent the formation of mature plaque and the onset of disease.