ACID IN YOUR MOUTHWASH CAN BE ERODING THE ENAMEL ON YOUR TEETH!
In a recent study, researchers have uncovered a startling new discovery about the mouthwashes you are probably using everyday. Did you know that over 90% of commercially sold mouthwashes available contain an acid level comparable to that of household vinegar?
How many of you have ever rinsed or gargled vinegar? I can’t even imagine what that would taste like, but imagine what it would do to your teeth!
One of the hardest substances that your body produces is the enamel on your teeth. But acid is one of the most corrosive substances around. The study below was completed in April of 2001 discovered that rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash that contains a high concentration of acid causes a drastic increase in enamel loss.
Do you know what that means? Enamel loss has a direct correlation to sensitive teeth – people with less enamel complained of greater sensitivity in their teeth to hot and cold.
As you can see from the chart below, almost all commercially available mouthwashes have a high ‘acidic’ environment. But look where Biox AMB lies, it’s actually the same level as water.
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Various Commercial Mouthwashes
|
pH
|
|
The ‘Natural’ Dentist
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3.2
|
|
Peroxyl
|
3.7
|
|
Listerine
|
4.3
|
|
Breath-Rx
|
4.7
|
|
Scope
|
5.4
|
|
TriOral -2 phases
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5.7
|
|
Rembrandt
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6.5
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Water (Neutral)
|
7.0
|
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Biox AMB
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7.0
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The Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2001 Apr;28(4): 319-24
The erosive effects of some mouth rinses on enamel. A study in situ
By Pontefract H, Hughes J, Kemp K, Yates R, Newcombe RG, Addy M.
Division of Restorative Dentistry,
Dental
School
,
Bristol
,
UK
BACKGROUND: There are both anecdotal clinical and laboratory experimental data suggesting that low pH mouth rinses cause dental erosion. This evidence is particularly relevant to acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) formulations since they have plaque inhibitory properties comparable to chlorhexidine but without the well known local side effects.
AIM: Studies in situ and in vitro were planned to measure enamel erosion by low pH mouth rinses. The study in situ measured enamel erosion by ASC, essential oil and hexitidine mouth rinses over 15-day study periods. The study was a 5 treatment, single blind cross over design involving 15 healthy subjects using orange juice, as a drink, and water, as a rinse, as positive and negative controls respectively. 2 enamel specimens from unerupted human third molar teeth were placed in the palatal area of upper removable acrylic appliances which were worn from
9 a.m.
to
5 p.m.
, Monday to Friday for 3 weeks. Rinses were used 2x daily and 250 ml volumes of orange juice were imbibed 4x daily. Enamel loss was determined by profilometry on days 5, 10 and 15. The study in vitro involved immersing specimens in the 4 test solutions together with a reduced acid ASC formulation for a period of 4 hours under constant stirring: Enamel loss was measured by profilometry every hour.
RESULTS: Enamel loss was in situ progressive over time with the 3 rinses and orange juice but negligible with water. ASC produced similar erosion to orange juice and significantly more than the two proprietary rinses and water. The essential oil and hexetidine rinses produced similar erosion and significantly more than water. Enamel loss in vitro was progressive over time, and the order from low to high erosion was reduced acid, ASC, Essential oil, and hexitidine mouth rinses and orange juice.
CONCLUSION: Based on the study in situ, it is recommended that low pH mouth rinses should not be considered for long term or continuous use and never as pre-brushing rinses. In view of the plaque inhibitory efficacy of ASC, short to medium-term applications similar to those of chlorhexidine would be envisaged.
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