Can you brush your teeth with listerine instead of toothpaste?


Question:
I'm wondering if this is effective, or if it can hurt your gums or dental health.

Answers:
Toothpaste is better than listerine for a few reasons.

Listerine provides a means to decrease gingivitis (inflamed gums) by killing the bacteria in your mouth and that is pretty much it. Toothpaste almost always has fluoride in it which helps to prevent cavities and to remineralize cavities that are just begining. Many toothpastes also contain ingredients that help to prevent plaque and "tartar" as well as an ingredient that works like a detergent creating a foam that helps to lift the loose particles away from your teeth while brushing. Other ingredients include abrasives that help in the cleaning process, whitening agents, and some include desensitizers (Sensodyne, Crest Sensitivity).

Remember though that flossing is the best way to clean between your teeth since your toothbrush can't reach there. What I do is the same as the first post says: Brush, floss and then rinse with Listerine. That way you have removed as much bacteria and build-up as you can from your mouth, and most of the bacteria that is left/stirred up from the brushing and flossing get zapped by the Listerine.

Oh, and one more thing, I think the person that said you can brush with cookie dough is kidding. If he isn't, he should call me immediately for an appointment, maybe then I can afford that boat I've been wanting.
It doesn't effectively brush plaque away from the surface of your teeth and between them.

It it best to brush, floss, then listerine.
It is probably less effective because of the consistency of Listerine versus that of toothpaste. This is a different question and I would recommend that you just continue to use toothpaste and rise with mouthwash not brush with it.
no. you still need to brush to get the plaque off
You can but its better if you do both. Brush withtooth paste and then listern. Listren really just dissinfects tooth paste actually cleans.
No, but I heard you can use cookie dough.
More Questions & Answers...
  • I just found out that I have to get a crown on my lower molar because my tooth fractured. What causes this?
  • My mom said something that sounds weird, but could be true.?
  • Does anyone know the best teeth whitener I should use?
  • After you mouthwash is it good to get the excess of with a rinse of water?
  • Where can I go get some cheap dental work?
  • Braces!! Need Answers Now...Please?
  • How long does it take for wisdom teeth to break through?
  • I'm nervous about oral surgery, what can I expect?
  • What's the difference?
  • The consumer health information on youqa.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
    The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
    Copyright © 2007 YouQA.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

    Health Resources