Will a mouthwash eventually eliminate the need to visit the dentist for regular checkups?

In a recent clinical study, a new mouthwash developed by a microbiologist at the UCLA School of Dentistry successfully eliminated most of the Streptococcus mutans bacteria in 12 subjects over a trial period of four days.

As reported in Science Daily, the subjects rinsed only once and the mouthwash was effective in targeting the bacteria that is the principal cause tooth decay and cavities.

The mouthwash is the product of nearly ten years of research conducted by Wenyuan Shi, chair of the oral biology section at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Shi developed a new antimicrobial technology called STAMP (specifically targeted anti-microbial peptides) with support from C3-Jian Inc. a company he founded around patent rights he developed at UCLA. (Science Daily)

Because of the effectiveness of this limited clinical trial, C3-Jian Inc. has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is expected to begin more extensive clinical trials in March 2012. If the FDA ultimately approves STAMP for general use, it will be the first such anti-dental caries drug since fluoride was licensed nearly 60 years ago.

Since Americans spend more than $70 billion each year on the treatment of tooth decay or cavities, will a simple mouthwash eliminate the need for regular visits to the dentist?

What are your thoughts?

For more on this story see: New Mouthwash Targeting Harmful Bacteria May Render Tooth Decay a Thing of the Past.