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United Dental Resources

Is Mouthwash Actually
HARMING Your Teeth?

Is Mouthwash Staining My Teeth?

First of all, we know that teeth do stain. Teeth have millions of pores and like a sponge can absorb stains. Coffee, Tea, & Nicotine contribute the most.

The rule of thumb on Mouthwash is: If it would stain a white shirt, it is likely that it is also staining your teeth.

Solution: Use a clear mouthwash. Most mouthwash companies use a dye to make their mouthwash noticeably different from their competitors. Using a clear mouthwash is just as effective and will not stain your teeth. Click Here for a list of recommended clear mouth washes.

Is Mouthwash Destroying My New Dental Work?

Most Mouthwashes have a very high alcohol content and most New Dentistry uses Composite Materials. The Problem is that alcohol is a solvent and specifically is capable of breaking down or dissolving composite materials. In fact dentists use alcohol to clean off the dental instruments used to place composites in the mouth. Composites in the mouth include: Sealants, Bonding, Veneers, Fillings, Cement for Orthodontic Brackets, and Cement for Crowns & Bridges.

When you rinse with an alcohol based mouthwash for just 1 minute: you are giving the alcohol enough time to begin to break down the bonding agent (BIS JMA) which bonds the composite material to your tooth. This break down of the BIS JMA may leave your tooth prone to decay.

Solution: Use a non-alcohol based mouthwash. The alcohol in mouthwash offers no health benefit and is used exclusively to thin out the active ingredients and to prevent settling at the bottom of the bottle. Click Here for a list of recommended non alcohol mouthwashes.