Mouthwash

lou77_2 · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:02PM

I have problem teeth - or rather, gums. It's the kids fault, they have been terrible since I had them! OH got a dental insurance policy thing through work so I decided to get them sorted. Saw the dentist before Christmas and one thing he recommends is that I start using mouthwash - specifically Lysterine.

I looked at the price of that stuff in Tesco and it is ridiculous! Going to check cheaper places like Bodycare and Wilko but wondered if you clever people have any ideas for cheaper brands that will do the same or, better still, what about home made mouthwash?

Any ideas anyone?

Hawthorn · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:03PM

My dad swears by salt water. He has all his own teeth, no fillings, and no gum problems at age 65

Listerine is very harsh. I burned my gums with that and ended up with whopping great blisters. Ouch.

lou77_2 · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:10PM

Hmm, not sure I like the idea of blisters! Salt water I could stand I think and it would be cheap - suppose as you aren't actually swallowing it it wouldn't up your salt intake would it?

Hawthorn · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:14PM

I don't honestly know! I only use it if I have the beginnings of an infection

geordie_joe · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:22PM

When I had a gum infection my dentist recommended Hydrogen Peroxide. You get it from the chemist. It's a mild disinfectant and comes in different strengths. You need to dilute it, and the stronger solution you buy the more you dilute it, or use less of it.

IIRC it doesn't taste or smell of anything, so you won't get minty breath from it, but it does clear up infections and kill bacteria.

lcharm · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:25PM

My gums are not too good either and I'm surprised Listerine is what your dentist recommends as it's more of a mainstream generic mouthwash.

I was recommended a approved mouthwash called Chlorohex or Corsodyl. They both contain the same ingredient (Chlorhexidine) and are specifically designed for problem gums (bleeding + gingivitis) and mouth ulcers. But they aren't cheap either. But I wouldn't want to mess around when it comes to health myself

Hawthorn · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:28PM

Is it corsodyl that you can't drink Tea/coffee with otherwise it stains?

lcharm · 2 January 2009 pm31 9:31PM

Hawthorn wrote: »

Is it corsodyl that you can't drink Tea/coffee with otherwise it stains?

Umm, not sure, they are both the same and there is a risk of teeth staining with overuse but i never had that issue and i drink tea/coffee all the time. What they advise you is that you should only use it about 5-10 minutes before or after brushing teeth or eating/drinking as it can affect it's performance.

tirednewdad · 3 January 2009 am31 12:44AM

Ahh mouthwashes.... the solution and cause of many problems

Thoroughly recomend salt water mouthwashes for healing sockets, blisters or ulcers.

I personally don't ever recomend Listerine as long term use of Listerie will actually cause damage to the gums.

Corsodyl mouthwash- probably the best, although it does stain your teeth greenish tinge after long term use.

Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash- good for certain types of mouth infections, but only for a short period of use.

The current thinking on mouthwashes amoungst dentist is that they have thier place but only in short boosts. Someone who uses mouthwashes everyday isn't really benefitting thier teeth and gums that much.
I recomend to my patients,to use mouthwash as needed if there is a problem, otherwise not to bother.

I'm sure Toothsmith and coldstream and others have thier own views which will be all different to each other.