How do whitening mouthwashes work

Teeth with spots and fractures were excluded from the study. The dentin surfaces were polished to standardize the thickness of each sample. Using molds, each enamel-dentin sample was individually mounted in transparent acrylic resin to expose the enamel surface. The prepared samples were immersed for 7 days in a tea mixture to allow the bleaching effectiveness of the 4 products to be compared on a set of stained samples.

The tea solution was prepared by brewing 3. The constituents of the mouthwashes and those of the bleaching gel used in this study are presented in Table 1. Before color measurement, the samples were dried with absorbent paper.

The spectrophotometer was calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions by using the calibration plate. Each sample color was measured at 5 time points: at baseline; after staining; and at 7 days time 1 , 28 days time 2 , and 56 days time 3 after immersion in the respective mouthwashes. Color differences after staining were calculated using baseline color parameters. In the OP group, these parameters were calculated at 7, 14 recorded as 28 days in this study , and 56 days of the treatment period.

The data obtained after staining were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA to prevent possible differences in color among the groups. The mean values of the color parameters for each group after staining are given in Table 2. Means and standard deviations SD of color parameters after being stored in tea solution. Different uppercase letters represent statistically significant difference among groups. The redness and yellowness of all the samples decreased over time.

The findings of the two-way ANOVA revealed that the immersion period and the mouthwashes had a major influence on color changes.

Thus, the null hypothesis that the mouthwashes would have no effect on the whitening of stained teeth was rejected. One of the most prevalent drinks in the world is tea, following water. The reported health benefits of tea have made the beverage increasingly popular, but patients are concerned about its effects of staining on teeth [ 12 ]. In vitro studies have demonstrated the staining effects of coffee, red wine, and tea [ 13 , 14 ].

In the present study, tea staining was preferred because tea has been proven to have a higher capacity for staining teeth than other solutions, such as coffee or chlorhexidine [ 15 , 16 ]. The surfaces of the samples were not flattened before the experiment in order to simulate clinical situations. This situation might have led to greater variations among the samples in the adsorption of color molecules and measurement of color because of irregularities in the surface textures of the samples [ 17 ].

As reported in previous studies, bovine incisors were selected to assess the tooth color change because of the ease of standardization and obtaining samples [ 17 , 18 ]. The use of human teeth in in vitro investigations is limited due to ethical restrictions [ 19 ]. Extracted human teeth generally have restorations or caries that interfere with the color analysis of teeth. On the other hand, bovine teeth provide an adequate flat surface, making it easier to obtain standardized measurements [ 20 ].

As the chemical composition and structure of bovine teeth are similar to those of human teeth, bovine tooth hard tissues are often used as substitutes for human teeth in research [ 21 ]. A previous study reported that the staining of bovine and human teeth was similar, as were the effects of whitening [ 18 ]. Whitening mouthwashes have a low concentration of HP and sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, and sodium citrate. These ingredients work to whiten teeth either by bleaching or by removal and control of stains.

Hydrogen peroxide diffuses through the organic matrix of tooth and produces free radicals that lead to successful whitening [ 22 , 23 ]. However, the efficacy of whitening mouthwashes may be decreased by the fact that they are in contact with the teeth for a short period of time compared with bleaching gel for use at home. The results of this study showed that the amount of time the stained teeth were immersed in the mouthwash was a significant factor for tooth whitening.

Sodium hexametaphosphate has multiple binding sites and antitartar properties that help prevent staining of teeth. Also, known as polypyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate chemically removes existing stains and provides long-lasting inhibition of new-stain chromogen adsorption to the tooth surface [ 24 ]. In the present study, mouthwashes containing sodium hexametaphosphate did not have an effect with respect to color change that was statistically significant compared to the other tested mouthwashes.

The literature is somewhat contradictory with respect to the effectiveness of whitening mouthwashes. A previous study reported that different peroxide-based whitening mouthwashes did not have a bleaching effect on stained teeth after a day application period [ 25 ].

In this study, all of the mouthwashes were used according to the recommendations of their manufacturers. Comparing this study to other studies is challenging due to a number of possible factors, including study protocol differences, staining level of samples, sample preparation, mouthwash application protocol, and in vivo and in vitro conditions. Home bleaching treatment caused teeth whitening that was significant compared with the whitening caused by use of the mouthwashes.

The changes in the color parameters of tested mouthwashes were statistically similar after the completion of whitening treatment. A previous study also reported that the most acceptable way to whiten teeth was the at-home bleaching method [ 30 ]. Research has demonstrated that the whitening effect achieved by home bleaching was stable and long lasting [ 31 ]. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, each of the tested mouthwashes increased the whiteness of teeth over time, bleaching the stained teeth.

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this study. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List ScientificWorldJournal v. Published online Jul Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Karadas and O. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Introduction Patients today demand more than a healthy mouth and a perfect smile. Materials and Methods 2. Preparation of the Samples Fifty extracted bovine incisors were selected for this study and cleaned with a periodontal hand scaler.

Table 1 Details of mouthwashes products and bleaching gel used in this study. A whitening mouthwash can help supplement your oral care routine, so you get the teeth whitening results you want. Find out how a simple swish can impact your smile so that you can choose the best whitening mouthwash for the job.

Whitening mouthwash contains a bleaching agent called hydrogen peroxide to help remove surface stains from your teeth. You regularly rinse your mouth with the whitening solution to change the color of your teeth. The best whitening mouthwash will include ingredients that do more than whiten your teeth , such as fluoride to strengthen your enamel or cetylpyridinium chloride to kill bacteria that cause plaque and bad breath.

For a whitening mouthwash to be effective, you need to consistently make it part of your oral care routine. A study in the Scientific World Journal showed that hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes increased teeth whiteness over time but found no significant color changes in the first 56 days. To get the most out of your whitening mouthwash, follow the instructions on the back of the bottle, and commit to using it long-term. Most products will require you to swish the solution around your mouth for 60 seconds twice a day.

Remember not to swallow! Most whitening mouthwashes contain a two percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide. In comparison, the bleaching products used by your dentist contain percent. The Scientific World Journal study found that even at-home whitening gels with 10 percent carbamide peroxide worked better than mouthwash to whiten teeth when the gel is applied directly to the tooth.

Other whitening techniques include toothpaste, whitening strips, over-the-counter gels, take-home trays, and professional whitening treatments. Talk to your dental professional about the best way to improve the color of your teeth. Your dentist or dental hygienist can determine if you are a good candidate for whitening treatments and recommend the best whitening technique for your situation.

Remember that mouthwashes and mouthrinses do not replace regular brushing and flossing. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Reviews Product Reviews. By Melanie Rud. Melanie Rud. Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based freelance beauty and lifestyle writer and editor. You can find her work in Allure, Pure Wow, Refinery29, and more. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Medically reviewed by Nicole Swiner, MD.

She loves taking care of the family as a whole—from the cradle to the grave. As a wife and mother of two, she uses real-life experiences to clearly communicate keys to better health and wellness for mind, body and spirit.

She is the author of How to Avoid the Superwoman Complex. Our Top Picks. Best Overall:. This triple threat whitens teeth, protects against future stains, and kills germs that cause bad breath. Best Budget:. A great budget pick, this mouthwash uses hydrogen peroxide to whiten and clean everyday stains on teeth, like coffee. Best Drugstore:. With a concentration of hydrogen peroxide, this drugstore pick works well to whiten stains. Best With Fluoride:. With a two-fold approach, this mouthwash whitens and protects against cavities using fluoride.

Runner-Up, Best With Fluoride:. Fluoride and hydrogen peroxide work together to prevent cavities, strengthen teeth, and whiten. Best for Sensitive Gums:. A natural alternative, this mouthwash uses vitamin C to soothe sensitive gums.