Three Different Mouthwashes Cause Roughness on Teeth
Posted by Gabriala Brown, Tooth Soap® founder on Oct 25th 2022
Freshening Your Breath Might Be Harming Your Composite Dental Work
"Three disinfectant mouthwashes were given to patients before dental procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- 0.2% povidone iodine
- 1% hydrogen peroxide
- 0.12% chlorhexidine.
All three mouthwashes increased the surface roughness of resin composites immersed in the solutions."
It is not surprising that chlorhexidine affects the surface of composites of teeth.
It also leaves brown stains on teeth that are then ground off with pumice by a dentist.
But I was surprised that only 1% hydrogen peroxide also affected composites.
Food grade hydrogen peroxide is 3-12% and many swish with it regularly believing it has no affect on teeth.
I've been asked many times over the years if hydrogen peroxide was okay to use.
The only negative information I found regarding using hydrogen peroxide in the mouth was that it could make the tongue black with too much use.
This mouthwash study is significant for those that have composites in their teeth.
Dental work fees are top dollar and a major investment.
"The acidity of the mouthwash caused polymer matrix decomposition of the resin composites ... causing fillers to easily extrude from the resin matrix," wrote the study authors, led by Saijai Tanthanuch of Prince of Songkla University in Thailand.
In the experiment, the composite specimens were exposed to each mouthwash for just one minute, over the course of 14 days.
All three mouthwashes caused roughness on the resin composites and decreased surface hardness.
(Natural teeth were not part of the experiment).
Think twice about reaching for that mouthwash...
Here are three things to try instead of using mouthwash that will affect composite dental work:
- Oral irrigator: using this between teeth before brushing cleans out odors hiding between teeth. Studies show oral irrigators are more effective than flossing.
2. A tongue scraper works to remove bacteria and odor. If you don't have a tongue scraper, get a stainless steel kitchen spoon and use that instead.
3. 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pull. Oil pull with EVOO. It will remove toxins and freshen breath. Brush with Tooth Soap® afterward to remove oils from teeth that can prevent good remineralization.
(Some of these products are available through Amazon's influencer program - I will receive a small commission upon the sale of each product)
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653922002301?via%3Dihub