5 Ways to Reduce the Staining Effects of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
by Lillian Dixon
Chlorhexidine mouthwash is useful for treating gum disease. It works by killing the bacteria that infects the gums and causes them to become red, inflamed and tender. However, this type of mouthwash has one side effect that many people find difficult to deal with: it causes dark stains on the teeth. The following tips can help you to reduce this staining effect during your treatment with chlorhexidine mouthwash.
1. Floss Every Day
People who use chlorhexidine mouthwash often notice dental stains appearing around the edges of their teeth. These stains are actually dental plaque, which reacts with the chlorhexidine and turns a dark brown colour. Flossing every day removes dental plaque from the hard-to-reach places around the edges of your teeth that your toothbrush is likely to miss.
2. Use Tartar Control Toothpaste
Another good way to reduce the amount of dental plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth is to use tartar control toothpaste every day. All toothpastes help to remove dental plaque, but tartar control toothpaste actively works to prevent it hardening into tartar, which is difficult to remove. Reducing the amount of build-up on your teeth reduces the staining power of the chlorhexidine mouthwash.
3. Don't Smoke
Cigarette smoke contains a huge number of different chemicals, some of which react with chlorhexidine to create dental stains. In many cases, these stains are so stubborn that they require a professional whitening toothpaste to remove. During your treatment with the mouthwash, try to avoid smoking. You can use a nicotine patch or an e-cigarette to help with the cravings. Giving up smoking will also make it easier for you to recover from gum disease with the right treatment.
4. Limit Tea and Coffee Consumption
Black tea and coffee both contain compounds called tannins. These compounds give the beverages their characteristic strong flavour, but their downside is that they react with chlorhexidine to form dark dental stains. Try to reduce your consumption of these drinks until your dentist tells you to stop using the mouthwash.
5. Schedule a Professional Whitening Treatment
Scheduling a professional teeth whitening treatment for the end of your treatment with chlorhexidine mouth rinse can help you to cope with the psychological effects of dental staining. Professional teeth whitening is very effective at removing a wide variety of dental stains, including those caused by using this kind of mouthwash. Getting your teeth whitened as soon as your treatment ends is a good way to boost your confidence.
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About Me
As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.