Can Mouthwash Stain Teeth?

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Mouthwash can be a useful tool in your daily oral hygiene arsenal. But if you’ve been using it for a while, you may have noticed your teeth have stained.

Is it the mouthwash? What else could be staining your teeth?

Let’s discuss:

Mouthwash and Tooth Staining

Some mouthwashes can indeed stain the teeth. You may notice your smile has a blue or green tint after using it for a while.

It’s caused by artificial dyes used in the liquid, which can leave tiny deposits on the teeth, eventually changing their color. The risk is even higher if you don’t have great oral hygiene and are prone to tartar and plaque buildup since the dyes can stick more easily to them.

Some types of mouthwashes with antibacterial properties are also known to stain the teeth because of their chemical makeup, though these are less commonly used and are prescribed for limited usage.

What to Do If Mouthwash Stained Your Teeth

If you’re sure mouthwash caused changes in your smile’s color, you can:

• Switch products: Find an alternative mouthwash that doesn’t use artificial dyes or has lower amounts of them to reduce the risk of staining;

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• Improve your oral habits: By preventing plaque and tartar buildup, you give the mouthwash fewer chances to deposit dye on your teeth.

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• Speak to your dentist: Your smile might be improved through professional dental cleaning, which can remove stains from the surface of the teeth. If not, teeth whitening could also be used to remove stains caused by mouthwash.

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• Stop using mouthwash: The foundation of good oral hygiene is brushing and flossing your teeth. Mouthwash can provide extra support, but it’s not as important as most people think. If your teeth are more sensitive to the dyes, you can skip the mouthwash and still properly clean your teeth every day.

How to Use Mouthwash Correctly

If you still want to use mouthwash, here’s how to do it the right way:

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• Brush and floss your teeth first: Mouthwash is always the final step in your oral hygiene. Also, don’t drink or eat anything after to protect your smile.

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• Don’t take too much at once: You need to swish the mouthwash in your mouth to get the right coverage. Taking in too much makes that difficult, so stick to about 20 ml per use.

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• Don’t swallow: Mouthwash isn’t meant to be ingested, so be sure to spit it in the sink when you’re done swishing. Drinking it could lead to stomach issues and even nausea.

Are Your Teeth Stained from Mouthwash?

Dr. Daniel Bickel can help you remove stubborn stains on your teeth, no matter what caused them. You can get a whiter smile with professional dental cleanings or tooth whitening services.

Schedule an appointment at Redmond Art of Dentistry today and find out which treatment will help you get a whiter smile.

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