Can mouthwash stain teeth?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blog post will address the topic, “can mouthwash stain teeth” and cover topics like why does mouthwash stain teeth, what causes staining of teeth and ways to whiten stained teeth.
Can Mouthwash Stain Teeth?
Yes, excessive use of certain mouthwash has been known to stain teeth. According to a review published in the International Journal Of Dental Hygiene, Chlorhexidine mouthwash resulted in more significant tooth discoloration compared to chlorhexidine gel.
Excessive use of fluoride containing toothpaste and mouthrinses may stain teeth.
Why Does Mouthwash Stain Teeth?
Mouthwash stains teeth because of an antiseptic component called chlorhexidine gluconate, which reacts with leftover food additives most commonly tannins found in tea and coffee.
Chlorhexidine reacts with tannins to produce brown stains on the tooth surface that can be removed using abrasive toothpaste or dental scaling and polishing done by a professional.
What Causes Staining Of Teeth?
There are multiple causes of staining of teeth, categorised under tooth discoloration.
Tooth discoloration is when the colour of your teeth change from white to yellow to darker colours, either due to extrinsic or intrinsic causes or ageing.
Extrinsic causes of tooth discoloration are those caused by objects or factors outside your body. These may include foods and drinks, tobacco use and poor dental hygiene.
Intrinsic causes of tooth discoloration include factors that originate within your oral cavity or body. These may be associated with your genetics, certain types of medications, excessive fluoride intake or any type of dental injury.
Intrinsic tooth discoloration is discoloration within the dentin, has a pulpal or systemic origin and is much more permanent when compared to extrinsic teeth discoloration.
Some of the potential causes of tooth discolouration or yellowing of teeth are:
Coffee, Tea And Wine
Coffee, Tea and Wine are known to cause teeth stains and yellowing of teeth.
Tannins, a type of organic substance found in coffee, tea and wine, build up on the tooth enamel and result in yellowing of teeth.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not brushing your teeth daily after every meal or at least 2 times for two minutes each as recommended by ADA, may lead to plaque accumulation and tartar formation.
Plaque, calculus or tartar causes yellowing of teeth and also increases the risk of periodontal diseases.
Chromogenic bacteria have also been reported to cause stains on your teeth commonly at the gingival margin of the tooth.
Bad Habits: Tobacco Use
Tobacco in any form causes discoloration of teeth. Discoloration caused by tobacco is not yellow but more dark brown or black.
Medications
Medications like Chlorhexidine, tetracycline and phenolic mouth rinses cause yellow discoloration of teeth.
According to a review published in the International Journal Of Dental Hygiene, Chlorhexidine mouthwash resulted in more significant tooth discoloration compared to chlorhexidine gel.
Tetracycline discoloration occurs below the gum line most commonly involving the anterior teeth, in children exposed to tetracycline during pregnancy or during the early years of tooth development.
Tetracycline also causes tooth discoloration in some adults but these stains are not permanent as in children.
Genetic And Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic disorders like hyperbilirubinemia cause yellowing of teeth.
Genetic disorders like amelogenesis imperfecta, dentin dysplasia and epidermolysis bullosa also result in yellowing of teeth.
Dental Injury
Injury in early childhood may disturb the tooth germ and can be one of the causes of tooth discoloration and yellowing of teeth.
Trauma in adulthood may also lead to discoloration of teeth.
Dental Materials
Dental materials such as composite and GIC lead to yellowish discoloration of the teeth.
Ageing
As you grow older, the outer layer of teeth called enamel wears and the inner dentin is exposed, revealing an off-white appearance.
Excessive Fluoride
Fluoride in adequate amounts is crucial for healthy and strong teeth.
However, excessive fluoride from environmental sources such as high fluoride content in the local water supply or from excessive use of fluoride containing toothpaste and mouthrinses can cause teeth discoloration.
Orthodontic Treatment
According to a study, tooth discoloration is reported to be associated with orthodontic treatment where the tooth becomes darker.
Initial management can help resolve such types of discoloration.
Ways To Whiten Stained Teeth
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Daily brushing your teeth at least 2 to 3 times can help whiten your teeth by reducing or removing plaque accumulation.
Visiting your dentist every 6 months will also help you to keep check of all your oral problems and conditions that can lead to yellowing of your teeth.
Take Professional Help
Visit your dentist or dental hygienist and get their help in getting brighter, whiter teeth.
Ultrasonic scaling and cleaning, rotary polishing with an abrasive prophylactic paste, or air-jet polishing with an abrasive powder can help remove some of the extrinsic stains.
Enamel microabrasion along with bleaching can help in removal of superficial intrinsic tooth discoloration that is caused by fluorosis and orthodontic brackets.
In-office bleaching uses a 15-40% hydrogen peroxide solution with careful isolation of the teeth to protect the soft tissues from the harmful effects of the bleaching agent.
Home Bleaching
At-home bleaching is quite popularly known to reduce the yellow stain and help you get whiter teeth.
10-22% carbamide peroxide solution containing custom-made mouthguard can be daily or nightly applied for 2-6 weeks, for best bleaching results.
Whitening Strips And Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening strips containing hydrogen peroxide offer an at-home alternative to whiten the stained teeth.
Whitening toothpastes, containing 1% or less peroxide, are minimally effective.
However, darker stains can be successfully removed using a combination of in-office and at-home procedures.
No Tobacco And Less Of Coffee or Tea Consumption
No tobacco and less coffee or tea consumption will help reduce the stain on teeth produced by them.
Homemade Toothpaste Containing Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
Homemade toothpaste containing 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, helps to reduce yellowing of the teeth.
A study reported toothpaste containing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to be effective in reducing tooth staining and improving whiteness.
Vitamin C
Some studies have reported vitamin C to reduce periodontitis and thereby reducing discoloration of teeth. However, further research is required to confirm these reports.
Add Fruit Enzymes To Toothpaste
According to a study, papain enzyme from the papaya fruit and bromelain enzyme from pineapples play a significant role in reducing tooth stains when added to toothpaste.
Whitening Effect Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar when used in small quantities may prove to be an effective whitener for your teeth.
However, in large quantities or regular use may harm the tooth by eroding away the enamel.
Coconut Oil Rinse
A study concluded coconut oil pulling or swishing in the mouth to be an effective way to reduce plaque buildup on the teeth resulting in lighter shade on your teeth.
Conclusion
This blog post addressed the question, “can mouthwash stain teeth”. We understood why mouthwash stains teeth, what causes staining of teeth and ways to whiten stained teeth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): Can Mouthwash Stain Teeth
What’s best to whiten your teeth?
Hydrogen peroxide, a mild bleach, is the best to whiten your teeth.
Homemade toothpaste containing 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, helps to reduce yellowing of the teeth.
A study reported toothpaste containing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to be effective in reducing tooth staining and improving whiteness.
Should I rinse my mouth after chlorhexidine?
No, you should wait for at least 30 minutes for rinsing after chlorhexidine to maintain its effectiveness.
Rinsing just after chlorhexidine mouthwash may wash the antiseptic from the teeth surface, failing its purpose.
Rinsing with water soon after mouthwash, reduces the antibacterial effects and increases the demineralization of your tooth enamel.
Saliva needs at least 30 minutes to establish protection for teeth enamel.
Why do you have to wait 30 minutes after using mouthwash?
You must wait for at least 30 minutes after using mouthwash because saliva needs at least 30 minutes to establish protection for teeth enamel, letting the fluoride infuse completely.
Rinsing or eating or drinking before 30 minutes after mouthwash, washes off the fluoride and leaves the tooth enamel unprotected to dental caries.
Is it normal for mouthwash to burn?
Yes, it is normal for mouthwash to burn as you rinse your mouth with it.
Mouthwash contains ingredients like alcohol and menthol, which produces a burning sensation.
Can I use mouthwash as a disinfectant?
No, mouthwash cannot be used as a disinfectant as the alcohol concentration in mouthwash is very low to have a disinfectant effect.
The disinfectant at the drugstore contains 70-99% alcohol compared to mouthwashes that have concentrations of alcohol up to 25%, falling short of an antiseptic effect.
Alcohol in mouthwash is used as a carrier agent for ingredients like menthol as well as a preservative, not to kill bacteria.
Which mouthwash kills the most bacteria?
Mouthwash containing Xylitol killed the most bacteria followed by alcohol based mouthwash and then the chemical substitute mouthwash.
How many times can you mouthwash in a day?
It is healthy to mouthwash one time per day in addition to using floss and brushing teeth twice a day.
Long term continuous use of mouthwash may erode your teeth enamel and cause staining of your teeth.
According to a study, people using mouthwash twice or more than twice daily had a significantly increased risk of pre-diabetes or diabetes compared to less frequent users or non-users of mouthwash.
Other FAQs about Mouthwash that you may be interested in.
Tooth Pain Goes Away With Mouthwash
Best mouthwash for sore throat
Can mouthwash replace brushing teeth?
References:
How mouthwash can give you bad breath and stain your teeth
Manuel, S. T., P. Abhishek, and M. Kundabala. “Etiology of tooth discoloration-a review.” Etiology of tooth discoloration-a review 18.2 (2010): 56-63.
Tooth Discoloration. (2020)
Tooth Discoloration
Whitening Yellow Teeth. Colgate. (2020)
Tooth Discoloration Treatment & Management. (2020)
Natural Remedies. (2018)
Chakravarthy P, Acharya S. Efficacy of extrinsic stain removal by novel dentifrice containing papain and bromelain extracts. J Young Pharm. 2012;4(4):245-249. doi:10.4103/0975-1483.104368
Ghassemi A, Hooper W, Vorwerk L, Domke T, DeSciscio P, Nathoo S. Effectiveness of a new dentifrice with baking soda and peroxide in removing extrinsic stain and whitening teeth. J Clin Dent. 2012;23(3):86-91.
Baik, Un-Bong, et al. “Teeth discoloration during orthodontic treatment.” The Korean Journal of Orthodontics 47.5 (2017): 334-339.
Int J Dent Hygiene 13, 2015; 83– 92. DOI: 10.1111/idh.12078 Supranoto, SC, Slot, DE, Addy, M, Van der Weijden, GA. The effect of chlorhexidine dentifrice or gel versus chlorhexidine mouthwash on plaque, gingivitis, bleeding and tooth discoloration.