Here's a fact: Brushing alone is not enough. This is backed by years of scientific research and studies conducted by oral health experts in their mission to protect millions of mouths around the world. Studies show that brushing alone only cleans up to 25 percent of the mouth. In 2018, results from the National Survey on Oral Health showed 72 percent of Filipinos have dental caries while 43 percent have gum diseases.

Periodontal (gum) disease affects the tissues that surround and support the tooth, and is often characterized by bleeding or swollen gums, pain and sometimes bad breath. When left untreated, gum disease could lead to tooth loss. In the Philippines, 7.5 percent of adults aged 20 and above have total tooth loss. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that a complete oral hygiene routine is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. While brushing is a fundamental and necessary component, it primarily targets the surfaces of teeth, leaving gaps in the overall protection against various oral health issues.

On the other hand, studies have also consistently shown that incorporating a mouthwash like Listerine Total Care into one's daily routine, along with brushing and flossing, significantly enhances the effectiveness of oral care — up to 99.9 percent germ kill when used twice daily. This was the main takeaway from the recent event of Listerine Philippines.

The event gathered dental and oral care experts, Dr. Tess Villarico and Dr. Ashita Bhatia, who illustrated the importance of completing one's oral care routine and demonstrated the efficacy of Listerine in being able to provide #CompleteMouthProtection for its users.

Villarico, an esteemed dental practitioner, stressed the importance of being able to do more than just brushing [teeth]. "It is necessary that one habitually complements their brushing with flossing and using a mouthwash to maintain good oral health and hygiene. Brushing cleans accessible surfaces of the teeth that the toothbrush is able to reach and flossing gets in between the teeth. The role of a good mouthwash is as an adjunct providing anti-microbial action against certain bacteria while reinforcing fluoride exposure, that's why it's important to be able to do all three regularly to ensure a clean whole mouth," he said.