Mouthwash and toothpaste at the same time.
November 2, 2014 4:43 AM Subscribe
Is it safe to brush my teeth with the addition of a small amount of mouthwash at the same time?
My mouth feels cleaner and it saves time. Is there any reason not to?
My mouth feels cleaner and it saves time. Is there any reason not to?
Best answer: Mouthwashes based on chlorhexidine will be inactivated by toothpaste. So says the label on my bottle of knock-off Corsodyl, anyhow.
I don't see any reason that this would be dangerous, as opposed to ineffective, though.
posted by Perodicticus potto at 5:18 AM on November 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
I don't see any reason that this would be dangerous, as opposed to ineffective, though.
posted by Perodicticus potto at 5:18 AM on November 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Some toothpaste brags it has mouthwash built in. I'd say safe, but mark me as another that has no idea why?
These aren't cleaning products. They are hygiene products. For the most part you're not going to run into problems mixing anything you can safely put in your mouth.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:54 AM on November 2, 2014
These aren't cleaning products. They are hygiene products. For the most part you're not going to run into problems mixing anything you can safely put in your mouth.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:54 AM on November 2, 2014
Response by poster: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11142666
Toothpaste appears to adversely affect the activity of CHX and CPC particularly if used immediately after the antiseptics. The data further supports the concept of separating the use of antiseptics until sometime after the use of toothpaste, and the idea of developing mouthwash friendly toothpastes.
I use Listerine and it doesn't contain chlorhexidine on it's list of ingredients. I hope it's safe!
posted by BillyAnne at 7:10 AM on November 2, 2014
Toothpaste appears to adversely affect the activity of CHX and CPC particularly if used immediately after the antiseptics. The data further supports the concept of separating the use of antiseptics until sometime after the use of toothpaste, and the idea of developing mouthwash friendly toothpastes.
I use Listerine and it doesn't contain chlorhexidine on it's list of ingredients. I hope it's safe!
posted by BillyAnne at 7:10 AM on November 2, 2014
You've twice used "safe" where I think you mean "effective." It's not unsafe, it's just less effective with some toothpastes.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:52 AM on November 2, 2014
posted by DarlingBri at 9:52 AM on November 2, 2014
Response by poster: DarlingBri,
You're right. Thanks.
posted by BillyAnne at 11:18 AM on November 2, 2014
You're right. Thanks.
posted by BillyAnne at 11:18 AM on November 2, 2014
I'm nowhere near being a dentist or any kind of expert, but I'll mention a couple of things that would concern me:
x. Listerine is super harsh. I can never keep it in my mouth as long as is recommended. I don't think it's great to use Listerine all the time.
x. You're supposed to be brushing for 2-3 minutes. Are you doing that? If you're relying on the mouthwash to cut down your brushing time, you might not actually be cleaning your teeth effectively. If you are brushing for the full 2-3 minutes, it might be quite harsh on your teeth and gums to have Listerine in your mouth for so long.
I'd recommend switching to an alcohol-free mouth wash. I use usually use sensodyne or the colgate alcohol-free one.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:42 PM on November 2, 2014
x. Listerine is super harsh. I can never keep it in my mouth as long as is recommended. I don't think it's great to use Listerine all the time.
x. You're supposed to be brushing for 2-3 minutes. Are you doing that? If you're relying on the mouthwash to cut down your brushing time, you might not actually be cleaning your teeth effectively. If you are brushing for the full 2-3 minutes, it might be quite harsh on your teeth and gums to have Listerine in your mouth for so long.
I'd recommend switching to an alcohol-free mouth wash. I use usually use sensodyne or the colgate alcohol-free one.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:42 PM on November 2, 2014
Response by poster: Thanks for the comment. Listerine is super harsh! I was only using the smallest amount relying on the toothpaste to cut the harshness of the mouthwash.
posted by BillyAnne at 3:29 AM on November 6, 2014
posted by BillyAnne at 3:29 AM on November 6, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by xingcat at 5:05 AM on November 2, 2014