Comments on: Healthy, Beautiful Smiles for Life

Healthy, Beautiful Smiles for Life

The Straightener — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:18:26 -0800

is the active ingredient in Crest Pro Health mouthwash. Proctor and Gamble product research says the rinse is safe and that their single blind study showed, "Side effects were minimal, with no between-group differences in hygienist-rated calculus or stain accumulation..." However, many have gathered at the Amazon page for the product to complain that it stains teeth brown. The only mention of this in the media that I can find is an entertaining op-ed rant from earlier this year. One anectdote from a dental professional claims it takes an hour of cleaning to get the stains off. Did Crest rush its product to market, missing a critical side effect? Or was it meant to boost sales of another product line?

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:18:46 -0800

Color me brownmouthed. Suck it, Crest.

By: pmbuko

pmbuko — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:30:59 -0800

If my teeth are already yellowed/brown, will it even out any blotchiness and give me an even tarnishing?

By: Burhanistan

Burhanistan — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:35:36 -0800

Liquid bleach mixed with sand makes a far cheaper and more effective mouthwash.

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:45:23 -0800

Sweet, I'll try that. I'll make a paste out of it and spread it on some 80 grit sandpaper.

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:48:05 -0800

I don't get it. What does this do that Listerine won't? Do people have some super bacteria in their mouth that a 27% alcohol solution won't kill? Try 91% isopropyl alcohol. That should kill all those pesky germs.

By: puritycontrol

puritycontrol — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:06:24 -0800

I don't get it. What does this do that Listerine won't? Crest Pro Health doesn't sting the hell out of your mouth -- that was the big selling point when it first came out. In reality, it stings a little. But it still hasn't turned my teeth brown after a year of using it.

By: weapons-grade pandemonium

weapons-grade pandemonium — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:16:11 -0800

The evolution of the protection racket. I don't know about you, but I would pay big money for a product that would get those logos off the outside of my clothes.

By: caddis

caddis — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:17:17 -0800

Listerine has been proven by over 100 years of use. Nevertheless, these charges against Crest Pro Health seem a bit premature.

By: caddis

caddis — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:18:20 -0800

[flagged for abuse of tags]

By: rolypolyman

rolypolyman — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:20:13 -0800

Now I'm reminded another reason why I don't read news media anymore... they're more likely to carry thinly veiled ads for industry rather than good consumer advocacy stories. Viva la Internet.

By: pmbuko

pmbuko — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:20:54 -0800

Listerine/Life is pain.... Anyone who says differently is selling something.

By: rolypolyman

rolypolyman — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:25:44 -0800

Reviewer: I used the Wintergreen flavor for three months - apparently it's not supposed to stain as much. (insert appropriate Lewis Black flustering) What the fuck?

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:31:04 -0800

I don't get it. What does this do that Listerine won't? Crest Pro Health doesn't sting the hell out of your mouth -- posted by puritycontrol at 10:06 AM EST on January 3 Only the original listerine stings. The green listerine and the blue one don't sting, and they have the same amount of alcohol. And I kind of like that it stings. That's how you know it means business.

By: hermitosis

hermitosis — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:36:08 -0800

I just crunch Wint-O-Green LifeSavers and dazzle the hotties with sparks.

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:36:26 -0800

From the wikipedia article on Listerine: The active ingredients are menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, and eucalyptol. Ethanol or grain alcohol is present in concentrations between 21 and 26% w/v. At the concentrations in Listerine, ethanol per se does not have antimicrobial activity but rather serves to dissolve the active ingredients and to facilitate the penetration of the active ingredients into dental plaque. So the alcohol doesn't really do anything to kill the germs. You learn something new every day.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:38:06 -0800

I don't get it. What does this do that Listerine won't? Erm, stain your teeth brown, I guess. Also, I kind of like the "sting" It lets you know it's working.

By: Flakypastry

Flakypastry — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:40:18 -0800

FWIW, it seems as though there indeed may be a problem with the rinse. Check out this thread in a student doctor discussion forum.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:41:52 -0800

Hmmm, once again wikipedia is on the ball

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:47:16 -0800

Last year, I was prescribed a mouthwash-type solution called chlorhexidine. An antimicrobial, it fights gingivitis. In a matter of weeks, it had done its job and I was in the clear. However, I was warned when prescribed that one of the major side effects of this super-cleaning substance was a staining of the teeth. And it did. It was reversible and better than the alternative from not using the chlorhexidine, but still ... a bit of a pain. So I'm wondering if this Crest product has any chlorhexidine in it. I know that some of the G.U.M. products have a small amount.

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:49:54 -0800

What if you use Bactine?

By: caddis

caddis — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:52:42 -0800

From the wikipedia article cited by delmoi: It has also been used as an ingredient in certain pesticides. Ouch!

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:00:29 -0800

It's not just in pesticides, it's also used for sterilizing chicken carcasses; it's marketed under the name Cecure.

By: Burhanistan

Burhanistan — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:03:32 -0800

It's not just in pesticides, it's also used for sterilizing chicken carcasses; it's marketed under the name Cecure. Well, some people do have the stink of death in their mouths so maybe this is the right tool for the job.

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:05:18 -0800

Yeah, the minty Listerine flavors don't seem to sting as much as the original, but the Crest Pro-Health does much less so than any of the Listerine varieties. My wife can barely tolerate any of the Listerines and even thinks the Crest stings a bit, but she can at least use it. We've been using it for a while and haven't noticed any brown stains, but given this news, I should probably switch back to ol' Listerine.

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:11:11 -0800

[flagged for abuse of tags] I took out the scumtoofs tag but the hobomouth tag refers to the op-ed piece.

By: caddis

caddis — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:29:53 -0800

fair enough

By: Burhanistan

Burhanistan — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:43:05 -0800

For what it's worth, my 92 grandmother still has her original teeth. She doesn't use any mouthwash, only religious brushing and flossing. Mouthwash is one of those things that we're told by advertising we need more than we really need it. That said, I use Tom's of Maine mouthwash. Rather than alcohol, witch hazel extract is the active ingredient therein. The sting is minimal and only really felt after 15 seconds. Also, a quarter capful kills the morning breath easily. For those with serious breath odor issues like halitosis, mouthwash doesn't do anything since the problem originates below the throat in the esophagus-stomach and/or trachea.

By: lsusd2003

lsusd2003 — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:17:42 -0800

I gotta tell ya...being in the profession, it's been a funny read. I'm not endorsing any of the above products...the one most often used in Louisiana is Dr. Tichenors and most that use it here swish and swallow (sic). I'm not as familiar w/ the Crest line as other products but daily brushing and flossing are the best...mouthwash is an adjunct...not a replacement. Honestly, you should also add these or these. And go see your dentists at least once a year...PREVENTION is the key here...(thanks cold chef for sending my way)

By: jaimev

jaimev — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:49:13 -0800

Hmm ... has anyone used hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse?

By: MythMaker

MythMaker — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:00:38 -0800

According to the student doctor thread, it's the blue dye that stains the teeth.

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:00:38 -0800

Jaimev: Yup. Effective but amazingly unpleasant in an exciting variety of ways... YMMV.

By: Kid Charlemagne

Kid Charlemagne — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:05:59 -0800

From the wikipedia article cited by delmoi: It has also been used as an ingredient in certain pesticides. Ouch! That and another chemical you might be familiar with - Oxidane! The FDA ought to outlaw that stuff.

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:10:10 -0800

The Straightener, Thanks for the heads up.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:34:00 -0800

Kid Charlemagne, did you know that well over 90% of children in the US test positive for oxidane in thier blood? I understand the numbers are even higher in developing countries.

By: elpapacito

elpapacito — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:35:48 -0800

Enough with this sue this , sue that hysteria ! This is ridicolous and useless ! Just pick a manger and burn his car, the way our ancestors did ! And no..remove the manger BEFORE burning the car.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:49:55 -0800

Fun post, Jeff. Pay no mind to the haters.

By: aquanaut

aquanaut — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 11:01:22 -0800

ha. tried prohealth for the 1st time this morning on the recommendation of my dental hygenist - she said alcohol had a slight cancer risk. turned my tongue blue and still have a bitter taste in my mouth 3 hours later. thanks p & g.

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:38:13 -0800

Try 91% isopropyl alcohol. That should kill all those pesky germs. A glass of cask strength single malt works well too.

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:46:15 -0800

Turns your teeth brown? Sounds like sabotage by Crest’s arch enemies the Cavity Creeps.

By: dibblda

dibblda — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:49:34 -0800

91% isopropyl alcohol.... About twice as toxic as ethanol. Maybe not such a good idea in case you swallow it.

By: TheWhiteSkull

TheWhiteSkull — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:31:57 -0800

What does this do that Listerine won't? What does this do that a decent single malt won't? Your breath may not smell as good, but you'll feel better about it.

By: TheWhiteSkull

TheWhiteSkull — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:32:38 -0800

D'oh, three blind mice beat me to it.

By: Secret Life of Gravy

Secret Life of Gravy — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:49:34 -0800

I really enjoyed the op-ed link: So what changed in my routine? What could be causing the trouble? Could it be the six apples a day? The cold cans of collards, field peas and black beans I eat in the middle of the night, in my boxer shorts, alone, in the dark? (Savor that image. SAVOR IT.) The V-8 juice? The dill pickle habit? The 64-ounce chocolate pudding "Big Gulps?" 64 oz chocolate pudding big gulp! Heeeee

By: dirtynumbangelboy

dirtynumbangelboy — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:29:59 -0800

Secret Life of Gravy writes "64 oz chocolate pudding big gulp!" WHY HAVE YOU KEPT THE EXISTENCE OF THIS SECRET FROM ME? FAT~~MOUSE~~DNAB MUST FEED.

By: loquacious

loquacious — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 20:34:26 -0800

Dude, it's no secret. You just dump a box of instant pudding into a big ass cup, add milk, agitate until frothy, wait a few minutes and enjoy. Me? I've got a fire extinguisher I've cleaned out. I put the pudding in there and... well, use your imagination.

By: dirtynumbangelboy

dirtynumbangelboy — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 20:52:41 -0800

Chocolate bukkake?

By: Goofyy

Goofyy — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:01:42 -0800

Only the original Listerine is worth buying and using. All other mouth washes are poor cousins, not worth noticing. Since I started using Listerine when I brush, my needs for dental attention have vastly improved.

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:19:06 -0800

Chocolate bukkake was my gay porn name.