I was driving this morning and I happpened to notice that I brown stains on my teeth and in between some of my front bottom teeth. I was so alarmed that this evening I rushed home to take a closer look and I was surprised to find that I not only have brown stains on the front of my teeth I have stains on the back of my top and bottom teeth as well. I am pissed and making dentist appointment tommorow morning. ProHealth toothpate is NOT so healthy.

Naamah Levi

You need to know about Pro Health Rinse! I am outraged that I did b not know about any side effects or contraindications. I have had horrible side effects concerning my loss of taste.

I am a veteran who experiences PTSD (Post trauma Stress Disorder). I am a former Naval/Marine Corps Hospital Corpsman who survived a helicopter crash and suffered head trauma. I have gone through hell thinking that my loss of taste was due to neurological damage from my PTSD.

I did not attribute this loss of taste to the Pro Health Rinse, just that I bought this product because I thought it was SAFE! I had attributed the loss of taste to possible cranial nerve damage due to my head trauma and (olfactory nerve damage) and proceeded to address this with the use of strong medications and other therapies to help regain my sense of taste and smell.

I am outraged that Crest did not provide a warning for this possible contraindication and want you to know how much real heartache they have put me through without this warning. I am awestruck that I did experience this and kept on using it as I could not believe that such a benign and innocuous product could do this. When you lose your sense of smell - you are told that it will never come back. I went back to using Listerine a few weeks ago and my sense of smell and taste have somewhat returned.

I still occasionally use the Pro Health Rinse and it is still in my medicine cabinet! I will not use this product any longer!

No warning and the hell that I have been through - none of my physicians knew that this product could cause this lack of taste. My doctors were concerned with cranial nerve damage from the olfactory nerve and told me that I would never taste again. I continually have used this product which would negate all other treatments and I cannot believe that P&G would not put this warning on this product. I use Pro Heath toothpaste - could that also alter my sense of taste?

Are the people at P&G insane to sell a product and not give adequate warnings? Do you know that hell that I have been through equating this side effect with possible long term neurological damage? Are you stupid? When your doctor, Robert Gerlach was on the Today show said if you had staining and/or loss of taste you would contact the Proctor and Gamble Company and then he quipped "wouldn't you"? He is a JERK! Most of the time, you would not equate a benign safe product together with extensive neurological damage. I and others would look at their former neurological damage and hope and pray it did not come back.

Shame on you Proctor and Gamble, with all the violence and terrorists around the news, people look to our founding companies to provide us with SAFE products to use. Your Pro Health was nothing but Pure Hell!

I want an apology from the insane doctor Gerlach who is either a puppet from the top executives for damage control or inept and useless as a doctor or physician that would HARM unassuming consumers!

I am a licensed dental hygienist who also works for Crest. I would like to add to the conversation about Crest Pro-Health Rinse. The rinse kills 99% of the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath in a unique alcohol-free formula. Unlike alcohol-containing mouthwashes, Crest Pro-Health Rinse doesn't burn, making it easier to use for the recommended 30 seconds twice daily. Alcohol-at high concentrations-has been reported to contribute to dry mouth, which can actually worsen bad breath and the growth of more germs. Like all mouthwashes that effectively fight plaque and gingivitis, Crest Pro-Health Rinse can contribute to temporary, surface-level brown tooth discoloration, which is reported by a small percentage of individuals. This is actually a sign that the product is working!! After the rinse kills germs in your mouth, the dead germs can collect on the tooth surface and create the appearance of a brown stain. Discoloration could be exaggerated by things such as tartar on teeth, consumption of colored beverages like coffee, tea, and/or red wine, or tobacco use. Brown tooth discoloration from use of mouthwashes that effectively fight plaque and gingivitis is not harmful. It is reversible-and largely preventable-through options like brushing with a power toothbrush and tartar-control/whitening toothpaste, flossing and visiting the dentist regularly. The active ingredient in Crest Pro-Health Rinse has been recognized as safe and effective by an FDA advisory panel, and meets all current FDA standards. I also want to clarify that Crest Pro-Health Rinse does not cause permanent taste alteration. Oral care products containing CPC, the active ingredient, may cause a temporary aftertaste, or temporary change in the taste of food, in a small percentage of people. This typically goes away shortly after product use is stopped. If you want more information or have additional questions, I encourage you to visit www.crestprohealth.com/FAQ. Thank you for your time. Pat

Thanks for writing.

I'm sorry you had that experience.
The active ingredient in Crest Pro-Health Rinse, CPC, can coat the tongue which may change the way things taste for a very small number of people. This should go away in 1 to 2 days.
If you notice a change in the way things taste, we recommend you stop using Crest Pro-Health Rinse.

In addition, some people who use an antimicrobial product such as Crest Pro Health, may experience some tooth discoloration.
This is true especially among those people who experience a lot of tartar.
Unlike stains due to smoking or beverages which can discolor the entire tooth, antimicrobial tooth discoloration can occur in hard to brush areas like between the teeth and at the gumline.
This type of staining is only temporary and on the surface of the tooth.

We appreciate your feedback and I'll be sure to share your comments with the rest of our team.

Karen
Crest Team

There has been a product called Peridex used as a rinse to help control periodontal disease and it can stain teeth since it contains a dilute amount of chlorhexidine which is the orange surgical scrub. This might be the same issue though the Peridex stains do come off readily when polished.

to hlsawdust (the dental student): i know of several patients who have never had any problems with excess tartar formation and who have EXCELLENT hygiene, and have still experienced staining from this product. Not to mention that fact that other common side effects -- such as the loss of taste -- have NOTHING (absolutely NOTHING!) to do with the quality of one's hygiene.

now is it possible that those who have experienced negative side effects (staining, swelling, loss of taste) have used the product "improperly" in some way, such as more than the recommend dosage (2x per day for 30 seconds)? perhaps, but i will also say that i know of pts who have experienced side effects even after less than ONE WEEK of using the product! -- which sort of rules out the "excess exposure" theory.

the bottom line -- and everyone (including Crest) knows that this true -- is that (at the very least!) there needs to be a warning on the bottle regarding all of the possible side effects, however Crest adamantly refused to put such a warning on the bottle for fear that it may negatively impact sales. in fact, imo, this product, should REQUIRE a prescription and should ONLY be used under the direct care and supervision of a dental professional. the dental professional can discuss the potential problems and side effects w/ the pt prior to use, and then both doctor and pt can monitor and KNOW how to use the product and what to look out for.

shame on the greedy corporate evil-doers at P&G. they released this product w/o adequate long-term testing (the only tests monitored short-term efficacy) and they now KNOW all the problems but they REFUSE to address it because they got $100M+ tied up in the research/development/marketing of the product.

Some things about me. I don't drink anything except water. So the staining is not caused by excessive coffee, tea or other drinks. I don't smoke. I take pretty good care of my teeth, I brush twice a day with a good electric toothbrush for atleast two minutes. I also floss once per day. I also use a water pick almost daily. So I really don't think it is from not properly brushing your teeth. I am on well water so that might be something unusual about me. However I think some people just have a reaction to this stuff and some don't. I think Crest should atleast put a warning on their product. I will never use crest products again! I will also try to stay away from procter and gamble stuff in general although that will probably be impossible to do.

@espot:

Guess I'll have to throw my two cents in here since I'm a dental student...

MOUTHWASH DOESN'T REPLACE PROPER BRUSHING AND FLOSSING. Regardless of chemical makeup, once a plaque pellicle has matured, it essentially becomes chemically resillient and requires mechanical removal (brushing, flossing, scaling, etc)

espot made an excellent point when he mentioned adequate oral hygiene, because I think that's the root of the problem for most the complaints here. Most dentists will have varying opinions about mouthwash, but so far, the best answer I've heard regarding mouthwash use was from an oral pathologist at my school, who said that the reason most people even use mouthwash, is in compensation for lack of proper flossing, when in reality it should be used as a SUPPLEMENT since pretty much everything on the market only kills the free floating flora in your mouth (and maybe the 1st layer or two of plaque because biofilms possess incredible chemical resilience).

From what he told me about biofilms, a new plaque pellicle will essentially plaster itself onto your teeth within an hour after brushing due to the existing flora. (Please don't see this an an excuse to say "oh well, if that's just gonna happen, there's really no point, huh?"), but it takes about a day or two before the plaque matures to to the point it forms palisades (columnar microcolonies of bacterial cells) and becomes almost impervious to chemical attack. Routine brushing and flossing basically is the prevention of this pellicle to reach maturity on a daily basis.

In regards to the staining of mouthwash, I don't know enough about the specific pharmacology, but I would imagine that the plaque itself is responsible for trapping mouthwash colors, much like disclosing tablets (tablets that you chew that binds a temporary dye to plaque so you can identify areas where you aren't brushing/flossing properly).

If you brush and floss properly, adding mouthwash to the mix essentially gives you more buffer time before the next round of plaque starts colonizing on your teeth (by killing the free-floaters).

Additionally, I'm wondering how long and what requency are people using mouthwash for? You really only need to keep it in for about 30sec - 1min. It's not like bathing your mouth in mouthwash for excessive time is gonna make it any more effective (if anything it'll be the opposite, since since you'll continute to secrete saliva during rinsing, which will dilute it).

"Fun" Fact: The 4th ingredient of Coke (and probably many other colas) is phosphoric acid. Dentists use a concentrated form of it in etch prior to sealant and composite fillings to dissolve a small layer of tooth to allow the sealant/filling to bond properly (creating a rough surface so it can adhere, otherwise it'll just fall off).

"Some people, especially those prone to high tartar formation who use an antimicrobial product, may experience tooth discoloration. Unlike stains due to smoking or beverages which can discolor the entire tooth, antimicrobial tooth staining occurs in hard to brush areas like between the teeth and at the gum line and it's only temporary. We recommend using Crest Vivid White Toothpaste and Crest Spinbrush to help eliminate these stain."

PS: OTC mouthwashes are not going to stop/cure infection. For something like that, have your dentist call you in an rx for Miracle Mouthwash (Stanford). The best perio office in Scottsdale swears by it.

I work for a prosthodontist, and while our hygienist recommends the Pro-Health Mouthwash, the doctor and assistant and I do not. The hygienist from the periodontist's office said their pt's have had staining. I do recommend the Pro-Health toothpaste though. My teeth are 2 actually 2 shades whiter and paired with a (good) electric toothbrush, my teeth feel the cleanest they ever have.

The best otc mouthwash you can use is Listerine hands down. For daily care, we recommend the purple one with flouride. If you want to pay for rx strength, go for Prevident (rinse, paste, or gel).

This would explain why I was able to use Crest Pro-Health for about 2 years without staining -- I brush with baking soda toothpaste. I never noticed problems with taste, but I recently had an abscess in my gum from a piece of popcorn that became lodged in there, and the Crest did nothing to stop the infection (some good old hydrogen peroxide did the trick). Since then I've been using Listerine, and while I never noticed the taste problems before, I have to say food does taste better now.

Read in a health magazine that the primary ingredient in Pro Health actually binds to bacteria instead of removes it. If you have residual pro health on your teeth and introduce bacteria (food, drink, tobacco) it works like glue to your teeth. Had the same problem. Went back to listerine and my teeth cleaned up. I didn't have to pay for an expensive cleaning, but my dentist tried selling me two. Funny how that works. Dentist tells you try pro health, then says "Oh snap, you'll need at least two cleanings to clear that up."

Never noticed a loss of taste either.

Are the people who are getting the spots heavy tea/coffee/cola drinkers? I very rarely drink soda/pop and never drink tea or coffee. Could that be a possible reason? I know some mouth products say don't eat for a while after using because it softens the enamel, making it vulnerable to staining.

Well, I wish them luck in getting their teeth back to shiny white.

I am pouring this stuff out when I get home, no sense risking it.

I should have listened to my intuition about it when I was in the store. I was like 'crest makes mouthwash wtf' but I dislike the burn of listerine so I went for it. :/

Hmmmm - well Crest will have you shilling out more money to dentists just to clean this gunk off! It's a conspiracy

@kad9k:

Oh dear, please tell me you didn't buy BreathRx from your dental office? Listerine is the only rinse you can get from the store that has the ADA seal. Why would all these other rinses be so fantastic and yet the ADA doesn't recommend you use them?

I was wondering where the stains were coming from. I've been using the mouthwash for several months now, and I've had this issue. My dentist had no idea about this. I'm going to tell him at my next cleaning. Also, I think more media attention is needed on this problem!

I first had this when I saw its "non-alchol" label. I was never a big mouth rinse guy. So I bought it. And I started noticing these brown rims around the gum and my teeth. I knew I started having it after I started using, but I could never put the two together.

Holy hell...I've been using the toothpaste version for some 8+ months because of the damn benefits claimed on the tube. I can confirm that frequently I have white film/gunk on my teeth caused by the toothpaste, but just hoped that was normal. Apparently it is "normal", but that doesn't mean good. Might as well have picked up Chinese lead.

This happened to me! I used that brand and I've been fretting about the mysterious sorce of brown filth on my teeth! I started brushing 4 sometimes 5 times a day...I really can't afford to go to the dentist right now...

Unlike you, I read the entire thing rather than just the first sentence. This discussion is about the Crest Pro-Health Rinse, which, rather than containing Stannous Fluoride

...is formulated using a different anti-microbial agent, cetylpyridinium chloride.

"@PotKettleBlack: The product contains Stannous Fluoride

Crest says otherwise (from #20 here):

Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste has been uniquely formulated with the Polyfluorite System™ consisting of stannous fluoride, an anti-microbial agent, and sodium hexametaphosphate, a stain- and tartar-fighting ingredient.

Crest Pro-Health Rinse is formulated using a different anti-microbial agent, cetylpyridinium chloride."

(*The doctors do not know why the swelling happens, they think it's an allergy.)

@kabes: I think you mean the horrible, intolerably intense burning sensation.

I have discussed this product with many RDH's and dentists and this is a VERY COMMON problem with the Crest Pro-Health Rinse. Not every user will experience brown stains and/or significant loss of taste, but a large percentage will. Yet, Crest refuses to put a warning on the bottle regarding the potential side effects, out of the concern that such a warning would affect sales.

On their website, Crest also blames the staining problem on the "blue dye" in the rinse, but they know full well that the real culprit is the active ingredient -- a chemical called CPC that is also used to make pesticides (see the wiki on CPC for more info and links). There are other over-the-counter rinses that contain CPC, such as Cepacol. However, when Crest removed the alcohol, they JACKED UP the CPC -- in fact, the Crest rinse contains 40% more CPC (by concentration) than the Cepacol, and the results have been disastrous.

My advice would be to either use a all-natural product (rinsing your mouth out w/ a pesticide is not a good idea) or at least use a product that has been tested and approved by the ADA (such as Listerine).

Shame on P&G, this is corporate greed at its worst.

i read somewhere that plain old water is as good as any mouthwash.....you can also use diluted peroxide.....

There are numerous and VERY common adverse side effects that are associated with this product, including brown stains, loss of taste, excessive tissue sloughing, and inflammation of the mouth and gums. Crest, on their website, blames the staining on the "blue dye" in the rinse, but they know full well that the real culprit is the main ingredient -- a chemical compound known as CPC that is also used to make certain pesticides (see the wiki page on CPC for more info and links).

CPC is also an ingredient in certain other over-the-counter mouth rinses (such as Cepacol). However, when Crest removed the alcohol they JACKED UP the CPC -- in fact, the rest product contains 40% more CPC (by concentration) than the Cepacol. And the results have been disastrous. Despite the high prevalance of stains (even for users who strictly follow product guidelines) and other problems, Crest REFUSES to put a warning on the bottle regarding the side effects. A P&G rep even admitted that the reason why they don't put a warning on the bottle is the concern that such a warning would negatively impact sales. This is corporate greed at its worst, and it's shameful and unconscionable behavior from the suits at P&G.

My advice would be not to use any mouth rinse, unless you are being treated for gum disease under the guidance of a dental professional. However, if you do decide to use something, either use an all-natural product (killing the germs in your mouth with a pesticide is not a good idea), or at least use a product that has been tested and approved by the ADA (such as Listerine).

Again, I would just like to emphasize that I have discussed this problem with MANY RDH's and dentists and this is a VERY COMMON problem with the Crest Pro-Health Rinse. Not every user will experience brown stains, but a very large percentage WILL.

@PotKettleBlack: That's good for you. I followed the instructions to the letter, but still had my teeth stained. I don't know why these product is still on the market. You would think that a product that does the opposite of what it's supposed to do would be faulty. Even Crest knows about the problem:

[www.crest.com]

"I've noticed since I started using Crest Pro-Health mouthwash, that I have more tooth staining (from the dye in the rinse) than I have ever had. I have switched to brushing after using the rinse and timing the rinse to make sure it is only 30 seconds. Have you ever heard of this issue before?

Crest Pro-Health rinse Refreshing Clean Mint flavor does contain a blue dye. It is safe and will not permanently stain your teeth or tongue. In fact, it should wash away with normal eating and drinking. However, you might want to try Crest Pro-Health rinse Cool Wintergreen flavor, which does not contain blue dye.
"

The way this product works is the chemicals in this stuff causes a reaction in your mouth which boosts the acid levels in your mouth to a very high level for hours on end, which is what kills your taste buds.

While staining will be removed from regular brushing, you need a professional to get rid of the crap in-between your teeth. I was mortified as to what this rinse had done to my body.

I contacted Crest and they paid for my cleaning. Crest knows this product is worthless garbage.

I too have experienced staining associated with use of Crest pro-health mouthwash. The stain is brown and very difficult to remove and I had to clean my own teeth to get the stain off. Crest pro-health rinse is very effective at killing bacteria. The active ingredient is cetylpyridinium chloride which has substantive properties. This means that when you use it, the cetylpyridinium chloride sticks to your teeth to continue to protect against bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities. This layer of protection may also promote staining in some people, especially those who drink coffee/tea/colas and those who smoke. The most effective oral rises are prescription and contain chlorhexidine, which also is substantive, and also stains teeth. Patients with periodontitis and patients who have just undergone surgeries in the mouth are often given chlorhexidine rinses because benefits of the product outweigh the risk of staining. However, normal people should not have to deal with such a negative side effect!

Personally, I was a bit pissed off about the whole ordeal. While the stuff is great at killing bacteria, it has a major side effect that Crest did not disclose.

I don't know anything about the numbness or taste loss some people are reporting, but those "blue chunks" everyone is freaking out about are harmless and simply due to the product's interaction with saliva. These "blue chunks" do not stain teeth or get stuck in teeth.

Pass me the bottle of pure powdered MSG to sprinkle on my food.

WOW!

I hate the other stuff i only use this mouth wash since day one it came out. Perhaps this is an allergic recation to one of the ingrediants in the formula.

Personaly i've never had any problem nor my Fiance (personaly i've been using this for 1.5 years now)

Deffinatly listen to PotKettleBlack he knows what he's talking about. I always rinse after i use any floride what's the same reason the dentist makes you do it at his office.

Really it's common sense. If you wash your floor with bleech do you not use water afterwards?

Thanks for the info, all these comments were getting me worried I'd been missing out on a vital step in my oral routine.

@terekkincaid:

Oh dear, where to start. I work for "Listerine", the active ingredient in Crest Pro Health is positively charged, the rinse itself has substantivity, which means it sticks to the teeth. If after you rinse you drink coffee or tea (negatively charged) it can stick to the rinse, and that can cause the staining you are seeing. Listerine does not have substantivity.

Ultimately, looking for products with the ADA seal on the box will help ensure that you don't run into problems like this. The ADA seal requires very specific independent clinical studies, so if the product doesn't work, it won't get the ADA seal.

It's a lot easier for someone with poor dexterity, big fingers, or chronic laziness to swish with mouthwash than to floss properly around each and every tooth. And if you have dry mouth, gingivitis, or a sneaking suspicion that you might not be flossing properly around each and every tooth, the mouthwash will help kill plaque bacteria you didn't physically dislodge with brush and floss. Also, it will help kill bacteria hiding in the crevices of your tongue and the surfaces of your tonsils, which you're probably not brushing.

Ideally, you're brushing AND flossing AND rinsing, twice a day, every day. Some genetically gifted people can get away with less without ramifications, but they're the dental equivalent of the people who can eat a triple whopper every day and not gain weight.

soapbox alert:
I just can't buy into the various conspiracy theories about Communist mind control/ industrial waste disposal/ compulsory medication that the anti-fluoride lobby tries to push. The fact is that fluoride strengthens your enamel, reduces sensitivity, and helps to prevent root decay (increasingly common due to older people keeping their teeth, having gum recession, and being on medications that cause dry mouth.) This isn't me drinking the Kool-Aid; this is peer-reviewed science and personal observation.
end soapbox

But the natural fluoride-containing toothpastes and the mouthwash (esp. Tooth & Gum Tonic by The Natural Dentist) are great.

I can't believe this product is still on the market. I have an appointment to get my teeth cleaned in a few weeks, and these stains better go away. I don't even want to smile.

And I'm really glad to find a bunch of stuff about this online. I felt ridiculous googling "sudden brown spots on teeth," but I was really worried about it. I still am.

@sparklingpink: I just found out about that, so I'm already thinking this company is on the outs with me.

Sadly that might mean replacing my nice spinning toothbrush...

Another recommended product was Biotene - which is normally used to treat dry mouth. It claims strong germ fighting, but I'm really thinking of a return to Listerine.

As an additional Consumerist-oriented comment, Sam's Club promptly accepted the return, no questions asked, and gave us cash back for both bottles (with one opened and all). Kudos to them.

I've been using this for some time (around a year or more). No brown/yellow stains at all. It does leave behind some strange bright blue debris on my tongue, which I've always assumed was the mouth wash mixing with plaque from my tongue or trace amounts of mucus.

The Whitening Pro Health, on the other hand, tastes and smells horrible and irritated my throat in the space of two weeks to the point where I had to stop using it. Strange the none of those websites/the Consumerist article actually differentiates...

@PotKettleBlack: It's not the stannous fluoride itself that stains, rather the stannous ion attracts certain food particles which then bond to and stain the enamel. I suspect two things: 1) those receiving stains are using the mouth rinse without prior brushing or even as a brush substitute and 2)most receiving stains consume a lot of coffee, tea, or other items with high quantities of staining ions. They're also clearly not flossing as the majority of the stains seem to be found between teeth and near the gumline.

Is there a reason to use mouthwash other than chronic bad breath or something? I'm crazy about my teeth and brush and floss, but I never use mouthwash and have never had any problems with my teeth. Why use it?

My mom's friend is a dentist. This is what he recommends: brush, floss and use Listerine.

2) Pro-Health toothpaste has its own problems, namely that it has so many ingredients that a lot of people are allergic to one or more of the components, causing their gums to swell, turn glossy bright red, and peel like they're sunburned. I don't recommend Pro-Health toothpaste or Colgate Total toothpaste for that reason.

3) While not in any way downplaying anyone's experiences or concerns (I'm very concerned about the reports of losing taste sensation) I think a lot of readers are overreacting. If you've been using the product without ill effects, you're unlikely to suddenly develop them. I'm certainly going to think twice about recommending this product now that I've read this post, but I'm not going to dump out the bottle that's sitting on the back of my toilet, because I've been using it for over a year now with no problems.

4) Scope isn't antibacterial. It will mask your bad breath but won't treat gingivitis. Currently there are no over-the-counter mouthwashes that are both antibacterial and fluoride-containing, because the ingredients react with one another in the bottle. ACT is fluoride but doesn't have CPC or essential oils in it; Listerine, Biotene, Oasis, and Pro-Health are antibacterial but don't have fluoride. There is a prescription mouthwash that has high enough levels of fluoride to be antibacterial but -- guess what? -- it contains stannous fluoride that causes brown stains on your teeth.

All I can say is that Crest better be sending out some really good, solid info to the dental offices, because otherwise they might as well discontinue it. I'm certainly not going to be recommending it anymore. It's a shame, because we were all so happy to see a product we could recommend to people with dry mouth, alcoholics, children, post-op patients, etc.

I havent had a problem. Its funny how so many people are dumping their crest out because they read a few bad reactions on the internet. I'm sure they sell millions and are bound to have a few side effects related to the people and not the product. I'm happy with mine!

The tongue has four zones that taste, very simply:

sour, salty, sweet, and bitter

So while it could possibly have a (hopefully short term) effect of diminished taste, I find it hard to believe (from one of the amazon postings cited) that everything tasted like sawdust. Just because you can't taste the "sour" or "sweet" of a grapefruit, you can still taste it almost as much as you can smell it.

Still, the stained teeth..... This wouldn't be a British product, would it?

Kills bacteria and DOES NOT turn your teeth brown like Crest ;)

@AMetamorphosis: What are your damages? Brown spots on teeth are pretty obnoxious, but not really actionable. A class action would result in a huge payday for plaintiff's lawyers, and a coupon for 75 cents off a Crest product for anyone else.

Wow! The sheer number of people having this issue is pretty scary. Does P & G expect this staining issue to just go unnoticed? Do they have a Mandatory Binding arbitration agreement attached when you break the seal?

I stopped using that stuff because I would lose my sense of taste for upwards of 6 hours after. I assumed I was just a wierd side effect and tossed it out. Guess it wasn't just me, upside was no brown spots.

F**K I really liked this stuff, and just bought a new bottle a big one. Well down the drain it goes when I get home. Also I thought the blue chunks were a good thing you know getting the stuff brushing leaves behind, because I've tried brushing for like five minutes and I din't get hardly any chunks as opposed to a bunch after brushing for two minutes.

I can still taste food though...

We definitely need more info on this.

really scary about not being able to taste food :(

I normally don't use the Crest Pro Health toothpaste, but had been using another version of Crest toothpaste (Tartar control I think) which is when I began to notice the stains, and which is when I switched to the Pro Health toothpaste.

Crest says otherwise (from #20 here):

Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste has been uniquely formulated with the Polyfluorite System™ consisting of stannous fluoride, an anti-microbial agent, and sodium hexametaphosphate, a stain- and tartar-fighting ingredient.

Crest Pro-Health Rinse is formulated using a different anti-microbial agent, cetylpyridinium chloride.

I use Act Restoring. Looked it up and sure enough it has the same chemical that Pro-Health does. My dentist said he noticeda couple of dark spots in between my teeth that were the beginnings of cavaties. I am wondering now if those spots are simply this brown staining.

Time to switch to Listerine.

I enjoy the use of both products, have not had any taste issues or any staining issues. DON'T drink the stuff and DO rinse thoroughly. Do be a do bee and don't be a don't bee. That's why they print directions on the damn bottle.

If you are a smart consumer, you read instructions. If you are a likely victim, you just rinse and go to bed with some strong chemicals in your mouth and wake up with brown teeth and no sense of taste. You probably also have a partial interest mortgage.

Before I started using a special toothpaste from my dentist, I used the Pro health stuff, as well... as someone said earlier, when I spit, I'd notice blue chunks almost as if it had gelatinized in my mouth. I also had the skin problem with the toothpaste, but nothing major.

I haven't used either in a long time, and I never noticed any staining (granted, I didn't look for it, but it sounds like it would be obvious). I was just genuinely creeped out by what seemed to be the inside of my mouth peeling away.

[cincinnati.bizjournals.com]

I used to use this stuff when I was looking for alternatives to Listerine. For about an hour after using it, my mouth would feel like I just ate 2 or 3 Sucrets. (Lozenge w/ numbing agent.) It's pretty terrible that some people react to it this way; crest should recall the product immediately.

It happened to me! For the life of me I couldn't figure out what was causing the horrible staining on my front bottom teeth. It looks like I've got smokers stain, but I don't smoke!

Hydrogen. Peroxide.

half and half with normal mouthwash. Seriously, the only thing i've ever used that's actually worked (and, nicely, the cheapest.)

OMFG! Its true! MY teeth started to get the same browning effect just recently. I am going to return this shit to Costco for a refund!

At least my next dental cleaning is scheduled for 4/1 and I can bleach my teeth if I have to.

Thanks for the warning! I'll keep with my ACT - even if it's for pre-brushing.

@girly: I loved that commercial! And you definitely get a +5 for that, and the "Crest Pro-Heath" comment!

Well, I think the "advantage" is that it basically achieves the same end as Listerine without the burn.

I complained to Crest and they PAID for my cleaning IN FULL. CREST PRO DEATH!!! This stuff is NOT SAFE.

Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2007 Aug; 34(8): 658-67
American Journal of Dentistry 2005 Jul;18 Spec No: 29A-34A
American Journal of Dentistry 2005 Jul;18 Spec No: 15A-17A.

And keep in mind that the final study listed there was actually sponsored and conducted by Procter & Gamble, used only 78 subjects, and had this as its conclusion:

"This randomized, controlled comparative clinical trial demonstrated that rinsing twice daily with the experimental alcohol-free 0.07% CPC rinse provides antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy similar to that of the positive control EO rinse, a recognized antiplaque and antigingivitis mouthrinse that contains alcohol."

Lovely.

@brianala: Actually had that happen after getting my tongue peirced back in the day. Over used the mouthwash even watered down and my tongue started to change colors and my breath got really bad.
The people at the peircing shop warned me about it too.

The stuff I have problems with isn't fancy mouthwash, it's fancy toothpaste. I just use plain old Crest that just fights cavities. Anything that also claims to whiten, freshen, or fight germs just leaves my mouth feeling raw.

Also, my husband's white fillings turned dark brown after using it.

I've also been using sensodyne pro-namel toothpaste and the stuff really works. No sensitivity from hots, colds, sweets, or contact plus its supposed to reduce acid wear from stuff such as soda.

We talked to the Proctor and Gamble rep yesterday about Crest Pro Health rinse. He said that there is in fact a problem with staining associated with it. There is a new green colored wintergreen? flavor available which doesn't have as much of a problem as the blue flavor. What the rep said was that Crest was so focused on getting the right color blue for the product that they lost sight of the fact that the dye is too dark / strong. After using some people's mouths look blue... this goes away. Anything that is on the surface of your teeth or in the interproximals gets stained blue and this is what the "blue chunks" are that you spit out after using it.

If you use it these blue chunks can become trapped in interproximals and pick up stains. I have classmates who have seen this on patients during prophys. My suggestion would be if you are going to use pro health rinse, make sure your brush well and floss so you don't get staining from the pro healh rinse, until proctor and gamble can fix the dye they use.

I wouldn't say it is permanent... but a classmate of mine did a prophy on his dad (who is a dentist) and said getting it off was tough... but then again we don't have a ton of prophy experience yet, so take that with a grain of salt. It is most definetely not permanent though. It would bother me though. I haven't used any of the pro health rinse samples I have gotten yet, so I have a ton of it lying around. I will be sure to brush and floss before using it.

Then I read it - specifically the part about the brown being inbetween the teeth. And I thought back to 2 or 3 cleanings ago when the dentist said I had the first stage of periodontisis (forgive my spelling of that...), and that my gums were receding. My Grandmother had full dentures at 40, so this freaked me out and caused me to kick my already pretty good oral hygiene routine into overdrive.

Fast forward to September 2007 - I switched dentists due to a move... I put on my new patient info that I was concerned about disease. This dentist looked at me like I was crazy and said it was obvious I took great care of my teeth and gums.

I have been using the Pro-Health rinse since it came out, and have loved it... I have always hated the burn of Listerine. Now, however, I wonder if my gums have receded because of it. Also, the other day I was flossing and did noticed how BROWN my teeth were in between, and thought to myself "Wow, I'm glad my cleaning is coming up soon."

Anyway...I think I will switch back to Listerine and see if the brown goes away. That will be the only way to tell for sure!

@brooksosheffield: do us a favor and never visit or retire to the South...

How exactly do you think that they could have misused a product containing no fluoride in such a way that it lead to them getting too much fluoride?

An additional frustration is that if the cap is left off, as children often do, the tube will leak out all over your counter.

It seems like that stuff is just overkill.

and as for putting sugar for 'scrubbing': [www.veoh.com] (Hedley & Wyche from SNL)

@ Roadkill: Yes it does apply to the toothpaste. You're better off using Playdough.

Do you really think these companies care about your health? If they did, no toothpaste would have fluoride in it.

This information needs to be on the bottle.

Ive been using this stuff one or twice a day since it came out awhile ago-no brown stains for me.

I had the same "blue chunks" when using Crest Pro-Health, plus the "white gunk buildup" on my tongue. Back to Listerine for me.

I want my moneys back, Crest. And I'm dumping this stuff once I get home.

My boyfriend SWEARS by Crest Pro-Health toothpaste.It uses silicates as an abrasive to get your teeth white. I used one tube of it, but stopped because I didn't like the taste. Afterward I googled it, to see what was being said about it, and I saw the news about the brown teeth (from BOTH products, the toothpaste and the mouthwash). The mouthwash has been sitting in my cupboard, seal unbroken, for over a year.

Hey everyone it's Monique the original poster. I am glad to help prevent you all from getting Crest Crud.

@bzr_wzr: you've given me hope! I can't imagine not tasting anything for 90 days. I'll be eating buffalo wings wrapped in chili peppers for dinner. :D

Niiiiice. Way to go, Crest! Next up: Crest Toothpaste with whole sugar grains for extra scrubbing action.

That's an interesting statement given that you follow it up with blaming the consumer. How exactly do you think that they could have misused a product containing no fluoride in such a way that it lead to them getting too much fluoride?

Iv had no problems with Crest Pro Health other then a slight loss of taste for a few hours after rinsing.. Iv had less problems with it then Listerine (which tends to cause issues... The side effect people are seeing with the Crest product is a similar side effect to the prescription Peridex (Chlorhexadine Gluconate) with the staining/some loss of taste ... a professional cleaning *should* remove it...or try baking soda (this worked for me, your milage may vary)

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ANYONE ?

hmm... a great idea for a toxicology report, the presentation on BPA went awesome, let see what I could find out about this, thanks consumerist, to the internets!

They already warned many consumers about this garbage.

Odd thing is - when i used it in the past, blue chunks would appear when i rinsed. how foul... it somehow gelatinized (is that a word) when i'd rinse!

I had the same loss of taste sensation when I tried Crest Pro Health Rinse. I stopped using it and it took about a week to come back.

Here's an article:
[www.associatedcontent.com]

For more horror stories:
[andywibbels.com]

Long story short, they spent millions developing the mouthwash and toothpaste and have no intention of removing it from the market (or at a minimum putting a warning label on it) until they at least recoup their costs.

For me, the brown spots occurred after 4 months of usage (mostly on my bottom 4 front teeth). I used the Pro-Health toothpaste and the Target branded Pro-Health mouthwash. It was scary, it looked like I had cavities on my teeth, except they didn't hurt. I looked like a meth-head without the fun doing drugs part. Fortunately since I've stopped using the product my Tom's toothpaste has helped remove some of the buildup, but I'm definitely going to need my dentist to remove the remainder.

Does anyone know of a good alternative to Glide dental floss? After what they did to me, I want to boycott all Crest products.

I can't believe Crest isn't even offering refunds. They should be volunteering to pay for the dental cleanings which result from use of such a terrible product (not to mention the product should be pulled from store shelves immediately). I hope they get hit with a nasty class action over this.

My dental hygenist recommended the Pro Health because my gums were receding and she said Listerine exascerbates the problem. I noticed the brown on my teeth and assumed it was from coffee, but giving it some thought, I hadn't drank coffee for months.

Next visit (same office, different hygenist), she asked me about my mouthwash and told me that was the cause of the brown stains and I should switch back to Listerine. When I told her what the previous hygenist said, she told me the other woman was wrong.

How are we supposed to make informed decisions if there is so much discrepenancy from the ones we trust as experts.

I have now stopped going to the dentist, stopped brushing my teeth, and use no mouthwash. While the stains are getting worse, at least I now know why! :)

Back to good old listerine for me!

@brooksosheffield: stfu

Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) has been used in mouthwashes for a long time. Think Cepacol. I think it's even in Scope. CPC probably isn't the reason for the brown here. All antimicrobials are poisonous, because that's what they do--they kill critters. So don't jump to conclusions about one ingredient, and don't be surprised that a disinfectant is poison. It could be any of a number of ingredients in the mouthwash giving you skankmouth.

[www.crest.com]

Lol, no lawsuit for you! They already know and explain why: it's got an antimicrobial in it, instead of using harsh chemicals to kill (like Listerine). Basically, they use a medical approach to kill bacteria, instead of a chemical one, and that's why it doesn't burn. However, I know tetracycline can stain kids' teeth brown; maybe this is similar.

So the common sense advice is: if it stains your teeth brown, stop using it! The brown will go away after a while if you brush. Use Listerine instead. Case closed.

Oh, and don't always buy into the MSDS. Read the handling procedures for salt (NaCl). Hilarious stuff. Remember, water is toxic, too.

I used a bottle of this stuff a few months ago and, while I never got any brown spots, I definitely know what these people are talking about when it comes to losing the ability to taste. In my case, it lasted about an hour or two and spicy foods seemed to help bring it back (even if they did taste like crap!).

Googling that brings up a lot of sites talking about its use in mouthwashes and its antibacterial properties.

Wikipedia mentions the stains as well :[en.wikipedia.org]

Unbelievable. Thanks for the heads up on this.

I'm just curious as to what's really going on here, and whether it's something in the mouthwash itself doing the damage or some other mechanism.

I have a bottle of this stuff in my bathroom. I use it. I've never had a problem like the one's listed above. However, I think I will pour it out just in case.

How is it we haven't heard this before?!?!

I'll be checking my toothpaste for that ingredient and telling everyone I know to do so as well. How the heck to you NOT change your product when it kills people's sense of taste?