Can mouthwash like Listerine damage your gums?!
Question:
Can mouthwash like Listerine damage your gums?
I notice that after I use Listerine (either the flouride or whitening version) I notice a mucus-like film along my gumline maybe a little bit afterwards (if i use regular listering, i don't have this problem. Is this normal?
Answers:
The whitening formulation of Listerine has a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide than you could normally obtain. And as such, it is quite chemically reactive. NEVER drink it. It won't damage your gums as they are quite resistent to normal chemicals used in oral hygiene. The mucus like film you see is the effects of the H2O2 as it cleans your gums sub-gumline. The foaming is the release of pure oxygen as the peroxide works. And yeah the foaming action could very well bring some "gunk" outta the gumlines. BUT this is what you are doing the procedure for. So don't worry, and keep on practicing good dental care. And remember to floss. Flossing your teeth on a regular basis is perhaps the least time consuming method known to add longevity to your lifespan.