So, I use Listerine Total Care mouthwash every evening after brushing my teeth, but lately I've been wondering if that's too much. A friend of mine says that excess fluoride can cause problems, especially if you use it daily. What do you guys think - is it really dangerous or just a myth?
It depends on the concentration and your age - standard mouthwash is safe to use daily if you follow the directions, just don't swallow it! If you're an adult and you don't have other fluoride products in your routine (fluoride toothpaste, tap water that's already fluoridized in some places), honestly there's no problem; severe fluorosis is from kids ingesting too much fluoride while their teeth are forming.
Your friend isn't completely off base, but the dose makes the poison - Listerine Total Care has a concentration designed specifically for daily use, it's not like fluoride magically becomes dangerous because you use it every evening!
The biggest risk is swallowing mouthwash regularly, not using it the way you're supposed to. If you use it as you should - rinse and spit, without swallowing - once a day is totally safe for an adult. Fluorosis (the side effect from too much fluoride) is mainly a problem for small children while their teeth are developing, not for people who already have their permanent teeth.
What really matters is the total amount of fluoride you're getting in a day. If you use fluoride toothpaste, your tap water might already contain some, maybe an electric toothbrush with fluoride treatment... then yeah, adding mouthwash in the evening becomes redundant. But if your routine is just toothpaste + mouthwash, we're perfectly within normal range. Your friend probably confuses this with studies on way excessive amounts (like swallowing liters of fluoride stuff). The Listerine you use has a standard concentration designed specifically for daily use, so zero problems if you don't swallow it.
Log into answer.
