Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Care

On almost any surface, a thin layer of bacteria known as biofilm can stick. That’s why your gums and teeth feel like they’ve been covered in slime when you wake up in the morning. Biofilm is normal and happens to everyone—even if you brush, floss and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash. But when you don’t remove the biofilm on a daily basis, it can build and develop into dental plaque.

Dental plaque which could lead to gum disease is made up of some bad bacteria (the kind that thrives on sugar left behind on gums and teeth and turns into tooth-decaying acid) and some good bacteria (the kind that makes normal biofilm less enticing to acid-hungry bacteria).

A person with super-solid home dental care, who brushes, flosses, and swishes daily, can control and minimize the size of the biofilm, and potentially make it even healthier by increasing the amount of good bacteria it contains. But when you clean and rinse your gums and teeth less frequently, biofilm (typically pale yellow in color) can harden into tartar and gets thicker which only dentists and their professional tools can remove. Stick to your rinsing routine to keep your biofilm in its healthier condition.

When you’re concerned about your gums and start researching, it quickly gets confusing, with multiple technical medical terms being used to refer to the same thing—gum disease. Here’s how the terms are linked: Gum disease is the broad-stroke, general term used to describe the bacterial infection in your mouth. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are words used to describe gum disease—but the words are not interchangeable and do not mean exactly the same thing. Gingivitis describes early, mild (and reversible) gum disease, the kind marked by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed or flossed. If gingivitis is not addressed by improved mouth care, it can progress and develop into the more serious (non-reversible) stage of gum disease called periodontitis, which attacks gums, bone and the connective tissue that holds teeth in place, eventually loosening them over time to the point that they could fall out. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. That’s why it’s best to address gum issues early by hammering down a foolproof rinse routine.

As we age, it’s increasingly common to see a drop or two of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing–so commonplace that many of us convince ourselves it’s not a big deal. But bleeding gums—even during a dentist cleaning—are not normal and not healthy. They’re a sign—possibly along with other often-missed red alerts like puffy, red, irritated gums—of gingivitis (early gum disease). Millions of adults have some form of gum disease, yet only a very small fraction realize it because gum pain is not an early symptom. The good news: early-stage gum disease is reversible, through improved daily mouth care and more frequent visits to the dentist for plaque and tartar removal with professional tools. But left ignored, blood in the sink can progress to serious gum disease (periodontitis) that attacks gums, erodes the jawbone and is the number-one reason teeth fall out. If you’ve spotted droplets, don’t wait another day to start improving your brush, floss and rinse routine.

You’ve recognized one of the most telltale signs of mid-stage gum disease. And this is not one you want to ignore. When you notice your gum and bone pulling away from your teeth, and more of the lower part of your teeth becomes visible, your gums are receding. Often referred to as shrinking gums, when this happens, the roots of your teeth become exposed to harmful bacteria and your mouth becomes susceptible to a whole host of health issues. If accompanied by red, inflamed gums that bleed when brushed, early gum disease is a likely reason. Left untreated, gum recession can have serious, irreversible consequences, such as loss of dentin (hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel and keeping your teeth firmly in place), and the exposed roots can become tender, sore or infected.

It’s best to use LISTERINE^® mouthwash twice daily, as directed. The FDA reports that the combination of ingredients in LISTERINE^® mouthwash is “generally recognized as safe and effective,” and that LISTERINE^® mouthwash is extremely effective in killing bacteria above the line as well as reducing sticky plaque film and early gum disease (gingivitis),which can lead to serious, advanced gum disease if left unattended (hence its powerful zing when you swish). Use LISTERINE^® mouthwash twice daily for 24-hour protection from gum disease-causing bacteria.

It’s best to use LISTERINE^® mouthwash twice daily, as directed. The combination of ingredients in LISTERINE^® Antiseptic Mouthwash is extremely effective in killing bacteria above the gum line as well as reducing sticky plaque film and early gum disease (gingivitis), which can lead to serious, advanced gum disease if left unattended (hence its powerful zing when you swish). Use LISTERINE^® mouthwash twice daily for 24-hour protection from gum disease-causing bacteria.

Yes, persistent bad breath may be a byproduct of other medical conditions. Common ailments like acid reflux and heartburn could leave a bad taste in your mouth. In other cases, bacteria and mucus buildup from a sinus infection could be what’s causing the issue. Slightly fruity breath that isn’t wholly pleasant or offensive is a telltale sign of diabetes, while a strong, ammonia scent has been linked to kidney disease.

Periodontal diseases like gingivitis can cause bad breath because of the presence of excess bacteria in the mouth. And dry mouth, which causes a decrease in saliva, leaves your mouth unable to naturally flush bacteria and food particles from your teeth and gums before they break down and start to decay.

If you’re worried your bad breath might be a sign of a bigger issue, or if you’re just unable to tame it yourself by brushing, flossing and rinsing, talk to your dentist.

When it comes to habits that can cause bad breath, few rank higher than tobacco use. Just the act of smoking alone, not to mention the associated health risks, is enough to leave your mouth tasting—and smelling—like an ashtray. Having a high-sugar diet doesn’t help, either; the natural bacteria in your mouth will feast on the excess sugars and redecorate your teeth and gums with bacteria buildup. Carbohydrate-cutting diets can often double your chances of bad breath as your body increases its production of ammonia to try and metabolize food. People who fast or skip meals regularly run a different kind of risk: chewing helps stimulate saliva, which helps prevent your mouth from getting dry and smelling stale. When you stop for long periods of time, your breath can begin to smell. Dry mouth also affects people who regularly breathe through their mouths, putting them in the unenviable position of having bad breath. Finally, people who are overstressed can wind up having unpleasant breath.

Yes and no. Since bad breath is often caused by dry mouth, chewing sugar-free gum can be a great way to get those saliva glands going. Not only will it help to flush out bacteria, saliva also helps usher unwanted food particles from your mouth before they can break down in your mouth.

Gums, candies and mints that are loaded with sugar, however, are not going to help. They may mask the odor, but they’ll do little to actually kill the bacteria that are causing your breath to smell. That’s because the sugar sticks to your teeth and gums where it can both break down to cause additional odor and increase plaque buildup. More plaque equals even more bad breath.

Your best bet is to brush, floss and rinse twice daily. This will ensure your mouth is optimally clean.

Unless you’re rinsing with a garlic and blue cheese-flavored variety, no mouthwash will cause your breath to stink. In fact, studies show LISTERINE^® Antiseptic Mouthwash may even help get saliva flowing faster, thereby preventing dry mouth (which is linked to bad breath). For best results use LISTERINE^® mouthwash twice daily, as directed, for 24-hour protection from bacteria.

Tooth sensitivity is usually a sharp, intermittent zinging pain in response to air, food, or drinks that are especially hot, cold, sweet, or sour. If you’re experiencing mouth pain that is more severe and consistent, you should consult a dentist to be certain what you are experiencing isn’t a more serious or chronic condition such as a cavity, gum disease or a cracked tooth.

Sensitive teeth pain occurs when your enamel or softer root cementum is worn down or your gum line has receded to expose what is called dentin. Dentin contains cylindrical tubules that run from the center of the tooth (or the “pulp”) where the nerves are located. When the dentin surface is exposed, dentin fluid flows outward from the pulp. If this flow is disrupted by external stimuli (such as hot or cold, sweet or sour foods and drinks) a signal is sent to the nerves which is felt as pain.

As the gums pull back, the dentin tubules become exposed and your teeth have less protection from these substances and temperature sensations. While sensitive teeth may not necessarily have a differing appearance than healthier teeth, sensitive gums will turn red and will often bleed without being prodded, such as when brushing. Also unlike sensitive teeth, sensitive gums may not cause the same type of discomfort. The trouble is that the longer you ignore them, the worse this is for your teeth and oral health, so be sure to consult your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing sensitive gums.

In a healthy mouth, there are tiny tubules in dentin (the soft part inside a tooth) that are covered by gums, cementum (a hard layer of tissue), or enamel. These dentin tubules lead to nerves and if enamel, cementum or gums start to wear away, tubules are open (exposed), so stimuli like temperature changes in the mouth from hot soup, cold ice cream, or even cold air, can move through them to the nerves. This causes the shooting pain known as tooth sensitivity.

Tooth whitening can be achieved in two ways: the use of bleaching products and non-bleaching products and either may cause sensitivity. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t whiten your teeth, but that you should simply be aware of the effects of whitening treatments and use them alongside proper and routine oral care.

LISTERINE^® SENSITIVITY with CRYSTAL BLOCK™ Technology works differently than many sensitivity toothpastes. Our CRYSTAL BLOCK™ Technology contains potassium oxalate, an ingredient which binds to calcium in your saliva and leads to the formation of calcium oxalate crystals deep inside exposed dentin tubules. Each rinse thus forms crystals that build up deep inside open tubules, blocking 97% of tubules in just 6 rinses* to provide daily repair of damage by creating a powerful barrier for continuous sensitivity protection.**

LISTERINE^® SENSITIVITY starts to work right away***, and the crystals build with every rinse to provide deep, stable, lasting protection. As the crystals build up, tooth pain starts to go away. That usually happens in 2 weeks, with results that last between rinses.** The tubule occlusion is more durable than the occlusion from a leading sensitivity toothpaste that also blocks tubules – even after mechanical and acid challenge.*

*In laboratory studies

**With continued use

***Relief in 2 weeks with continued use