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How Do I Choose the Best Whitening Mouthwash?

By Patti Kate
Updated May 17, 2024
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To choose the best whitening mouthwash, it is best to consult with your dentist or oral hygienist. It's also a good idea to buy a product that is endorsed by a dental association and recommended by dentists. It's best to avoid a whitening mouthwash that contains alcohol, which can cause dry mouth. Always choose a name brand whitening mouthwash from a reliable company.

Whitening mouthwash solutions may be used in place of an ordinary mouthwash. The whitening mouthwash will have ingredients that are known to help whiten teeth or remove stains. A whitening mouthwash that is used as a pre-wash is generally most effective. This type of mouthwash is designed to remove film that can stain teeth, and is used prior to brushing your teeth.

Some whitening mouthwash brands claim to brighten the teeth, but may not fight germs that cause bad breath. If this is a concern for you, choose an oral rinse with a germ-fighting formula. You may also find various types of mouthwash for tartar protection. Using a mouthwash that fights tartar may be an effective way to control stains on teeth. For complete oral hygiene, your mouthwash should control plaque as well as whiten the teeth.

In addition to whitening, a multi-care oral rinse will provide protection against cavities, plaque, tartar, and bad breath. If you experience dry mouth, you should look for a mouthwash that includes special bio-active enzymes for relieving dryness and irritation. Avoid ingredients like saccharin.

Many whitening oral rinses contain peroxide. While this ingredient is good for whitening the teeth, it is not recommended for long-term use. Used on a daily basis, hydrogen peroxide may interfere with the balance of beneficial oral bacteria. This may lead to dental problems later, such as periodontal disease or cavities. Instead, look for natural whitening and freshening ingredients, such as grapefruit seed extract.

If you must use a product that contains hydrogen peroxide, be sure it does not contain more than three percent. Some experts claim that using formulas with a higher percentage of hydrogen peroxide may cause an overgrowth of bacteria, leading to a coating on the tongue and unpleasant taste. If you are uncertain, ask your dentist for advice.

It is not uncommon for whitening mouthwash to cause teeth sensitivity in some individuals. If you suffer from sensitive teeth or have had sensitivity after using whitening products, it's best to consult with your dentist. He can advise you about which ingredients to avoid when choosing your whitening oral rinse.

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Discussion Comments

By burcidi — On Jan 08, 2013

@donasmrs-- Whitening mouthwash does have hydrogen peroxide in it. But it also has other ingredients that help balance the pH. Plus, the alcohol and hydroxen peroxide content is carefully decided by the manufacturers.

If you add hydroxen peroxide to regular mouthwash to make a whitening mouthwash, I'm afraid you might add too much and have adverse reactions to it.

Why don't you just get the generic brand whitening mouthwash from the store? It's considerably cheaper than popular brands and will do the same thing. That's what I do.

By donasmrs — On Jan 07, 2013

I've heard that hydrogen peroxide can be added to regular mouthwash to make whitening mouthwash at home and it's just as effective.

Has anyone tried this? If it's safe, I want to try it. It will be much cheaper than the stuff at the store.

By ddljohn — On Jan 06, 2013

I've been using a common mouthwash brand's whitening mouthwash for the past two weeks. My teeth are whiter!

I didn't think it would work but it did. It's expensive, much more expensive than regular mouthwash, so I don't know if I will be able to use this for the long term. I also don't know if my teeth will go back to how they were before when I stop using it. But for now, I'm satisfied.

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