Listerine Total Care

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#1 Post by **Lisa65** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:33 pm

This mouthwash has just been brought out in the UK and it was buy one get one free in my local drugstore this week, so I decided to give it a try. I'd been using Listerine Tartar control before as it supposedly inhibits tartar formation, but it didn't contain fluoride, so just to be on the safe side, I was using a fluoride-containing mouthwash too.

Listerine Total Care on the other hand, does contain fluoride as well as the tartar-inhibiting zinc chloride, so no need to double up if you like fluoride in your products.

If you're a fan of the Listerine "burn" this one won't let you down, although to my mind it wasn't quite as savage as regular Listerine. I still cut it half and half with water though, as I can't take this stuff neat.

It's a rather attractive purple colour too.

I'll probably buy it again although I'm not as a rule loyal to a particular brand but tend to chop and change.

#2 Post by **Spanner** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:53 am

I love that clean feeling that Listerine gives you but two different dentists and my doctor have told me that high alcohol based mouthwashes are really bad for your teeth and gums.

The high alcohol content present in many mouthwashes can dry your mouth out. When the saliva glands are dry, they are unable to help wash away bacteria. This is bad news if you have sore gums, gingivitis or periodontal disease. Listerine has the highest alcohol content (25%) of all the leading mouthwashes and can make gum disease worse not better. Keeping your gums hydrated when you are wearing braces is very important so just thought I'd let you all know. I avoid it like the plague now.

I use Corsodyl at the moment because of my bad gums, it only has an alcohol content of 7%. This is needed as a preservative and serves no other purpose so why Listerine need to put in 25% I've no idea. I can't use Corsodyl for ever because it's only supossed to be a short term treatment so every now and then I stop and go back to using an alcohol free mouthwash by Colgate.

All coloured mouthwashes have the potential to stain teeth enamel as well. If you splash it on white surfaces in your bathroom and it stains then the chances are it can stain your teeth too.

#3 Post by **Spanner** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:29 am

It's funny how dentists, hygenist etc. all seem to have different views. My dentist now has an artical on the notice board of the surgery warning people of the dangers of high alcohol based mouthwashes (without naming any).

#4 Post by **Spanner** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:27 am

Thanks for the info Karen.

The British Dental Association actually endorse Listerine. I once questioned my dentist by asking if it's that good then why don't they sell it at the surgery and why isn't it used there when they give you a mouthwash to rinse out after treatment. The reply I got from that particular dentist can't be repeated in a family group lol

#5 Post by **Lisa65** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:04 am

I was using Dentyl pH before, which is the "see the results in the sink" one and doesn't contain alcohol. But after using it for about a year I suddenly went off it. It has a bit of a greasy feel in the mouth due to its two-phase formulation, and I began to find it a bit gag-tastic, and it didn't leave my mouth feeling clean.

I'll try and remember to ask my ortho on Thursday what his personal opinion of listerine is.

#6 Post by **Spanner** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:09 am

That's a good idea Lisa, I'll ask mine on Wednesday too.

I tried that Dentyl pH and thought it yukky lol...but was impressed by all the bits you get to see, but i'm sure that's just a cosmetic gimmick no doubt.

#7 Post by **HIMgurl** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:32 pm

Has anyone noticed that Listerine leaves a film in your mouth that peels off the next morning? Or makes you mouth peel? I find this odd.

#8 Post by **sykoscout** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:32 pm

I just thought I'd mention that if you're concerned about fluoride (because of tooth decay or sensitivity), it's possible to get a special fluoride paste from your dentist, which you can brush with after cleaning your teeth. This stuff is not available in a pharmacy (at least in Canada), so you'd need to ask your dentist. My dentist gave me a sample because I'm prone to decay and just recently got braces on (and I'd really like to avoid having fillings done while wearing braces).

Re: alcohol-based mouthwashes... as a person with a degree in biochemistry (with a special love of microbiology), I just wanted to point out that if you're diluting an alcohol-based mouthwash 50/50 with water, you're probably making it a lot less effective as a disinfectant. I remember testing various antimicrobial compounds in the undergraduate lab, and listerine was only really effective when it was applied full strength for at least a minute. I'm not a dentist, so I don't profess to know exactly how this affects oral hygiene, but it's just a thought. Perhaps one would be better off with a non-alcohol based mouthwash if full strength listerine is intolerable.

#9 Post by **sykoscout** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:26 pm

I'm not sure what "stannous" fluoride is, but the label on my stuff is as follows:

"Remin Gel" (remineralizing gel)

Contains sodium fluoride (0.4%)

Indications: For home use after bleaching to reduce tooth sensitivity or to aid in the prevention of dental caries. After brushing and flossing, apply Remin Gel to a toothbrush and brush for 1 minute. Expectorate excess gel. Use daily or as directed by your dentists or hygienist.

The only source of fluoride is the sodium salt. The DIN# is 02231604.

Hope this clarifies the issue.

#10 Post by **sykoscout** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:02 pm

Tin salt? That seems odd... I wonder why they'd do that. Maybe it's cheaper? Although it's hard to imagine it'd be cheaper than sodium. Maybe I should go ask one of the chem profs at my school