Shelley, a visitor to this blog who also experienced tooth staining when using Crest Pro Health Mouth Rinse submitted a complaint to Proctor & Gamble and received a response back from them. Here is Shelley’s original letter of complaint, followed by the Crest Team’s response, followed by how that response made Shelley feel and my own comments.
Shelley’s Complaint to P&G
I purchased this Crest Pro Health Rinse. It was packaged with Crest White Strips, which I always buy. After a few weeks of use, I noticed brown in the spaces between my lower teeth. I did not know this was caused by the rinse and I have been flossing aggressively to get it out. I’ve never had this kind of problem before – I usually have nice white teeth. I found out that this may have been caused by the rinse and now I’m afraid to use any Crest products. I will see if my dentist can get this brown out of my lower teeth.
Crest Team’s Response
Thanks for contacting us.
I’m sorry to hear of your experience when using Crest Pro-Health Rinse. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to bring this to our attention and I’ve shared your report with our specialized representatives.We conducted comprehensive studies on Crest Pro-Health Rinse to prove its safety and effectiveness. The active ingredient in Crest Pro-Health Rinse, Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), has been recognized as safe and effective by an FDA advisory panel. The label meets current FDA standards.My Comment
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 very small percentage of people. Less than one-tenth of 1% of people who have purchased Crest Pro-Health Rinse have raised this concern. In some people, tooth discoloration could actually be one indication your mouthwash is working. After it kills germs in your mouth, the dead germs could collect on the tooth surface and create the appearance of a brown stain. The discoloration could be exaggerated by many other factors, such as existing tartar on teeth, tobacco use, certain prescription medications, and/or drinking red wine, tea, or coffee. 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.
Since the amount of help I can offer via email is limited, I’m following up with you by postal mail. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery of my letter. For answers to medical questions, we recommend you speak with your doctor who will be able to give you the best advice.
Thanks again for getting in touch.
Crest Team
Shelley’s Comments
It almost makes it sound like it’s my fault. I’m going to stop using Crest and P&G
products. It sounds like a canned response and is very smug. How about the statement
that discoloration is actually an indication that the mouthwash is working?
The Crest Team is careful when quoting statistics, claiming “Less than one-tenth of 1% of people who have purchased Crest Pro-Health Rinse have raised this concern.” They don’t say less than one-tenth of 1% of people who have used Crest Pro-Health Rinse experience this problem, they highlight only the small percentage of people who report it. Granted, they cannot possibly know how many people experience these problems if people are not reporting it, but I believe that many people who are having problems are not reporting it for one of the following reasons:
- They don’t realize that the mouthwash is the cause.
- They simply stop using the product and don’t report anything.
- Some consumers simply don’t file formal complaints – it’s like patrons who have a bad experience at a restaurant and decide never to eat there rather than complain to the manager.
The comment that the staining is “largely preventable – through options like brushing with a power toothbrush and tartar-control/whitening toothpaste, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly” is baloney. I was doing all this at the time and it did not succeed in preventing the stains caused by Crest Pro Health Mouth Rinse. This is insulting to anyone who experienced this staining.
I’d like to see a controlled clinical study.
I also think P&G should be proactive in adding a warning label to the product regardless of whether the FDA requires it. It would demonstrate P&G’s commitment to its customers’ health and well being.
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Also, I would just add that another common complaint with this product is that it results in loss of taste. And that obviously has NOTHING to do with the quality of a person’s dental hygeine.
I’ve had the same issues with brown areas appearing between my teeth suddenly, after having great, white teeth for my entire life. I would have never guessed that Crest Pro-Health was the problem.
I guess it’s time for me to write a letter as well. I certainly hope these stains aren’t permanent because they are extremely embarrassing.
The only permanent staining I’ve heard about is staining to dental work. My hygienist was able to remove the stains from my teeth, although it required two cleanings – one heavy-duty and one moderate. I wish you the best.
Another thing we need to watch out for is generic versions of this mouthwash. The other day my daughter came home with some blue Alcohol-Free Walgreens brand mouthwash. I read the label, and it contains the same active ingredient in the same concentration as Crest Pro-Health Rinse.
Has anyone had any experience using this stuff? I suspect that it would have the same negative side effects, but I’m not about to try it to find out.
That’s good to know. I have a dental appointment scheduled two weeks from now. I’m going to print out all this information and take it to my dentist. So, a cleaning got rid of the stains, you didn’t need to do any bleaching? I feel so relieved to finally know what is most likely causing this, as I haven’t changed any of my eating/drinking/hygiene and I actually quit smoking before the stains started.
Thank you so much for the information.
No, I didn’t need bleaching. Funny you mentioned the smoking thing. When I first started to notice the stains on my teeth, I figured it was due to the coffee (even though coffee had never done that to my teeth before). I stopped drinking coffee for about 6 weeks (continuing to brush and floss and rinse), and the stains kept getting worse and worse. I figured, what the heck, if my teeth are going to look like I’m a three-pack a day smoker, I may as well keep drinking coffee, so I started drinking coffee again.
Since having my teeth thoroughly cleaned and stopping the Crest Pro Health Rinse, I haven’t had any dark staining around my gums, despite my pot-a-day coffee habit.
I AM A DENTIST IN ORANGE COUNTY,CA. I HAVE RECOMMENDED THE RINSE AND HAVE RECENTLY SEEN THIS PHENOM..THE STAIN IS PERVASIVE AND MORE RETENTIVE THAN COFFEE. I WOULD NOT NORMALLY GO THROUGH THIS TROUBLE…THIS RINSE SHOULD BE RE-EVALUATED.
I’m with you on your recommendation that the rinse be re-evaluated. And yes, these stains are more stubborn than coffee stains and (from my experience) much darker. If I were a dentist or dental hygienist who recommended this stuff, I would be pretty steamed, too.
Funny, I just got a response from my complaint to Procter & Gamble yesterday. Word for word, exactly the same as the response to Shelley.
Nice form letter.
I do not smoke. I just had my teeth cleaned and was driving home. I looked in mirrow at teeth ,and they seemed so brown. Then I got to thinking about how my mouth felt when I used the pro – health mouth wash. I could not taste my food properly for about 8 hours. It also made me feel sick at stomach. I did not put this together until I stoped using it one day and my taste returned to normal. I am pouring this stuff out. It is not right for me. I take asthma meds .It could be that they do not mix well. I am no scientist ,but something is wrong here ??
I WOULD LIKE TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT MY TEETH ALSO HAS BROWNED FROM USING THE CREST PRO HEALTH RINSE. THE WHITENING STRIPS CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY UPPER GUMS AND I HAD TO GET 14 TEETH EXTRACTED AND GET DENTURES. THIS WAS A VERY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE.
Just had my teeth cleaned and my hygenist worked very hard to remove brown stains on my teeth. She asked me if I used Crest Pro-health mouth rinse (which I did) and alerted me to the browning problem the rinse is causing. I have stopped using the rinse.
I have been using Crest Pro Health (“Day” and “Night”) for quite a while. I haven’t noticed staining; what I have noticed was a sensitive, tingling, almost burning sensation on my tongue, and a white filmy stringy mucous-like discharge. At first, it was odd – maybe one of those aging things no one tells us about? Then it became annoying. Then it became embarrassing – I always felt like there was this discharge whenever I spoke or smiled. I had to have a kleenex handy to remove it. It became so bad, I was going to speak with my doctor. Since I had a routine dental appointment first, I asked my hygienist. She said that it can sometimes be an indication of gum disease, but that as my dental records proved to be excellent, she was stumped. She continued with the hygiene and then stopped and said she thought she might have found the source of my problem: my cheeks’ tissue was sloughy off in white, filmy, stringy, and mucous-like material. She asked what toothpaste I was using. When I said Crest Pro Health, she said that a number of patients had reported unusual dental issues and the only common factor seemed to be Crest Pro Health. She gave me a sample of Sensydyne to try. I used it that evening and the effect was stunning. After using it once, (and discontinuing with Crest Pro Health) my tongue stopped tingling and my cheeks’ tissue felt completely normal. That was two weeks ago; since then, I have had no problem whatsoever. I started investigating and found that one of the ingredients is CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE. When I Googled this, I found that it is toxic and that it can “be very destructive of mucous membrane.” Although no one has mentioned this side effect (it is rather embarrassing to discuss that kind of discharge!) I wonder how prevalent it is. This product should be re-evaluated and if it isn’t, I think Crest is in for some legal trouble when some lawyer has adverse effects and decides to organize a response!
Glad Joan posted about the STRINGY WHITE MUCOUS after brushing teeth. I was getting worried. I also USE CREST TOOTHPASTE. I’m gonna switch to another brand. Thanks!
I am a health science student at the University of Ottawa. I have learned through my studies that the FDA do not follow guidelines and have no standards for approving products (such as pesticides, which are now being banned). This problem has happened to myself and the stains seem to be permanent. This FDA comment by crest is rather concerning as the FDA is not the ideal candidate to be determining which products are safe for us and those that are not. Hopefully the dentist can resolve this problem for me. If you are serious in writing crest a letter be sure to let them know that the FDA sucks!
I too have experienced the negative side effects of crest products. After using their whitestrips, I noticed that my teeth were becoming very sensitive and deteriorating. When I went to my dentist, he said that it had destroyed most of my enamel. I had to have a filling in the gumlines of every single tooth in my mouth…EXCEPT FOR 1!! I will never use their products again, and I hope someone sticks them with one heck of a lawsuit. My dental work cost over $3,000 altogether. If I was rich and had a lawyer, I would have sued.
Crest Pro Health also has Stannous Fluoride in the ingredients. This type of fluoride is notorious for causing staining.
Hi, Lisa–
What you say is true, and I thank you for taking the time to post.
I would like to clarify, however, that my beef is not with the types of Crest toothpaste that contain stannous flouride. I believe the toothpaste contains something in its label stating that stannous flouride can stain teeth in some people. My beef is with Crest Pro Health Mouthwash, which contains nothing in the label that it might stain some people’s teeth.
If Crest would start labeling its Pro-Health Mouthwash with a warning, I would no longer have a problem with Crest selling the stuff. However, I believe that if something can cause harm to consumers, there should be a warning on the label.
Thanks for the posts here, I have been using the crest pro health for a few weeks now and there has been no browning or staining but I have experiences the stringy mucous as well on my cheeks after using it, it really freaked me out as it has never happened before, I think i am going to switch tooth paste as well, too bad other then that I really liked this particular kind.
My husband started using Crest Pro Health mouthwash several months ago. A few weeks ago, I noticed his teeth getting quite brown. I too was using the mouthwash, started about a month ago, and this week noted the staining. I was happy to see these posts to find the answer to our rapidly growing problem. I find it hard to believe only 1% of users are affected by this issue. It’s 100% in my house!
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm
this is the link to report a product problem to the FDA. I’m reporting it, I suggest you all do too. It’s the only way we can get Crest to put a warning on the label or take it off the market.
Hello, I am so happy I found this site, I have been having this horrible stringy stuff in my mouth after I brush my teeth. I did not know where it was coming from or what was causing it. Because we have a couple of different toothpastes it did not happen every time. It just happened again and so I did a search and found this site. I am going to go report this to the FDA. I feel really stupid, this has been going on for a year or so and when I use mouth wash after was wondering why it hurt so bad.
Thank you so mcuh
I am throwing the Crest products out and going to look for the ingreadiant on any other mouth products
Dorene
Pro Health toothpaste has caused a white stringy mucus after brushing however I did not realize it was the toothpaste until today. I was searching for “mucus after brushing teeth” and found this site
Thank you so very much
Dorene
i have been getting the white mucous strings in my mouth for a while now. i typed “white mucous strings in mouth” in google, and i found this website. i have been using crest prohealth for a while!! that has to be it, im DEFINITELY switching toothpastes! im so glad im not the only one with this problem, its a little embarrassing! glad to know ive found the solution! i never would have realized it could be the toothpaste until i read all your posts. thanks guys!
I have a generic bottle of the same stuff as Crest Pro-Health that has CPC in it and noticed the first night after I used it that my tongue and part of my mouth went numb! I’m throwing the stuff out. That is ridiculous that they can even remotely get away with selling something with side effects like that.
I am very upset about this mouthwash! My husband and I have been using this mouthwash for about a month and in the last week he has had noticeable staining on his teeth. Using Crest Pro-Health is only new product we have used. He does not smoke and has not made any lifestyle changes to cause the discoloration. How dare Crest keep this product on the market without any warning!
Just a quick note to add my 3 year old now has brown stains on his teeth from Listerine Smart Rinse for kids, which also contains cetylpyridinium chloride. I’m hoping the dentist can get the stains off
I’m so angry. I thank God this happened only to his baby teeth but it’s not like he drinks coffee or sodas or smokes at his age. It’s the rinse… no doubt at all.
My teenage daughter started getting brown stains on her teeth after only 2 weeks of using the Crest Pro-Health rinse. It took us awhile to figure out that it was the cause. She has always had a bright healthy smile and this was embarrassing. The stains were removed after a professional cleaning. Our dentist has decided to stop using this product with his patients after seeing all the problems people have had with this product.
Hi, im a teen that wants to try Crest Whitestrips Daily Whitening Multicare. I dont know if i should try it since ive been reading the comments you guys are leaving. Please help. thanks!
I am so glad that I found this site. I too was looking for a solution of why I was getting the white stringy mucous in my mouth after brushing. I too, asked my dentist who seemed to be at a lost since my teeth and gums are in excellent condition. After looking at the ingredients on my Crest toothbrush and reading this blog, I now know what to do.
Thanks again!
Wow! I have been having the stringy stuff in my mouth, too, but as a cancer survivor I thought I was just having weird health problems. I have using the Crest Pro Health at night & either the Listerine or Equate Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse for quite awhile now. At my last dentist appointment, the hygienist noticed that my teeth were very stained. I had noticed that my lower teeth were becoming very stained between the teeth. I have also experienced increased sensitivity on these teeth. Like an idiot, I thought it was all the coffee I drink and kept using these products. I have poured them all out and am going back to good old baking soda and see if the dentist can help me out. Thanks to all of you for posting.
I am so so happy to find out that I’m not the only person having this stringy weird stuff in my mouth after brushing my teeth. I started to suspect that the toothpaste (and the Generic of the brand) was the problem because I couldn’t tie this change to anything else I’ve done. I’m really disappointed in Crest. I should’ve just bought some of the $1.00 stuff.
i am also getting the brown stains on my teeth from using the equate brand of alcohol free mouth wash .does any one have a solution for this getting ridd of brown stains.i also had the problem with the mucus in my mouth thought i was sick or something good to know i’m not alone in this.all of you need to send me a dollar because i just solved a big problem for all of you with the mucus in mouth. any tooth paste that has sodium lauryl sulfate in don’t buy it that’s pretty much every thing on the store shelf.i found two tooth paste that does not make the mucus in mouth after brushing ( thera breath tooth paste) and (dura-namel tooth paste out of wal-greens) send me and e-mail to say thanks (slomoshunwilliams@att.net) i hope this helps
Hi,
I have been getting the white string mucous as well, and I have been using the Crest pro health tooth paste and mouthwash for a while now.
Thanks to this site I will stop using these products, also feel Crest should refund customers for these products
Wow.. the peeling off of white stringy tissue inside the mouth is now something I understand… it is from the toothpaste. Also, I can finally explain why my teeth are a little darker. Probably from lifelong use of Crest toothpaste… People had said it was from taking antibiotics for acne as a teen… I bet it isn’t from that at all.
Goodbye Crest. Goodbye to the stringy ick in my mouth!
Thanks everyone here for leaving comments. I am really glad you did!
Wow…I have had the same side effects from Crest Pro Health
mouth wash for 2 years I thought I had some kind of Gingivitis problem. My dentist recommend to visit Penn State
for further evaluation after he could not figure out the problem. I had white mucus, tingling, cold score, dry mouth and numbness. I dump the bottle in the sink and will never use it again. This is toxic and crest should be sued.
I’m happy to have found out that I’m am not the only one having this stringy white mucous, but after reading the messages I saw that no one else had mentioned using a product other than Crest. I don’t use Crest toothpaste or the mouthwash. I boycotted them after I read they test on animals, but the rinse I use is – Hannaford whitening pre-brush rinse and the strange thing is that the ingredients listed did not include the CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE that everyone is talking about is the culprit….it’s got to be something else too! These are the ingredients in the rinse I am going to throw out TODAY: water, alcohol (8%), hydrogen peroxide, sodium phosphate, poloxamer 407, sodium lauryl sulfate (now the MAIN reason why I am throwing this bottle out), sodium citrate, flavors, sodium saccharin, sucralose. Could someone that has the crest toothpaste/rinse see any commonalities between the two brands? Thanks for any help!!
I too googled the stringy slimy mucous and it led me to this website. I have been using both the crest pro-health toothpaste and crest pro-health mouthwash. I have now discontinued using these products. I have also used sensodyne and had the same slimy mucous. I think I’ll go back to using Colgate. I never had a problem with their products.