This review takes an overall look at the Crest Pro Health range of mouthwashes. We outline key factors to consider when buying a mouthwash then hone in on the options available in the Pro Health family to help you match your needs to the right product.
Adding a mouthwash to your oral care routine seems simple enough. But look down the dental aisle of any grocery store and you’re faced with a dizzying array of choices. As well as every color in the rainbow you’ll see mouthwashes that focus on freshening breath, others that fight cavities or plaque, and others that claim to heal all oral ills.
How can you be sure to choose one that meets your oral health needs and taste preferences? Well if you’re considering the Crest Pro Health range, we’ve done the hard work for you.
This article covers the following:
- Why choose Crest?
- How do I choose the best mouthwash for me?
- Individual product reviews matched to specific needs
- How to use Crest Pro Health mouthwashes
- Crest customer service
- Conclusion
Why choose Crest?
Crest is one of the most established and globally recognizable brands in oral health. Crest products are approved by the American Dental Association which is the gold standard for establishing “the safety and efficacy of dental products”.
Its launch of the Pro Health Range in 2007 was followed by Crest overtaking rival Colgate to reach the top spot in oral health care. The ongoing jostling for first position has led to lots of innovation in the Pro Health range which is great news for consumers!
How do I choose the best mouthwash for me?
Before moving on to the mouthwashes themselves, there are three crucial factors to consider when deciding which product best meets your oral health and general needs. These are summarized below. Taking a minute to read them will help you more quickly find the best mouthwash for you.
- Specific oral health issues: Do you want a complete care package or one that targets a particular issue such as gingivitis, plaque/tartar, sensitivity, staining or bad breath?
- Alcohol: There are a number of moral, religious or other reasons why you might want to consider a no alcohol option. For example you may have young children and be looking for a product the whole family can use. Alcohol mouthwashes can also contribute to a condition known as dry mouth which can actually worsen bad breath.
- Sensitivity: If you have sensitive gums or are recovering from a dental procedure you may wish to consider a mouthwash that is alcohol free or contains soothing ingredients.
So, onto the products themselves. The Pro Health range targets six major dental health conditions: cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, whitening and bad breath.
The table below overviews the Pro Health mouthwash range and indicates which dental conditions each one addresses. Detailed reviews appear below.
Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Mouthwash (Best for Multi-Protection)
Pros
- Kills 99% of germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath
- Alcohol free
- Strong refreshing taste
- Gives a lasting clean mouth feel
- Cap is marked with measurements
Cons
- Active ingredient can cause staining in some cases
- Contains parabens (preservatives)
- Contains artificial coloring
Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection mouthwash is an antimicrobial product that is alcohol free. It is an all-round product that fights plaque and gingivitis, helps to keep teeth clean longer and freshens breath without a medicinal taste (view details).
The active ingredient, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, is clinically proven to significantly reduce plaque, gingivitis inflammation and bleeding. However, this ingredient can cause staining in some individuals.
It’s suitable for anyone seeking an alcohol free option that wishes to improve and maintain their overall oral health. However, if you are following a tooth whitening regime it may not be suitable, or you may wish to try a smaller size to see if you’re susceptible to staining. Money can then be saved on larger multi pack options.
If you are prioritizing whitening over all other oral health issues read our reviews of Advanced with Extra Whitening (Alcohol Free) (below) and home whitening options.
If gum disease is your major concern, you may wish to combine your use of mouthwash with a water flosser – the fast fun and effective way to clean the areas of your mouth that toothbrushes just cannot reach.
Crest Pro Health Multi Protection Mouthwash Ingredients
Active: Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.07% (antimicrobial)
Inactive: Water, glycerin (hydrates the mouth), flavoring, poloxamer 407 (helps to disperse the product), sodium saccharin and sucralose (artificial sweeteners), methylparaben and propylparaben (preserve and stabilize the product), blue 1 coloring.
- GERM KILL: Crest mouthwash offers 99% germ kill and a healthier mouth, reducing gingivitis vs. brushing with...
- TREAT EARLY GUM DISEASE: Mouthwash for early gum disease. Helps reduce gum inflammation and bleeding gums....
- ALCOHOL-FREE: Kills millions of germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath without the burn of...
Crest Pro Health Clinical Rinse (Best for Extra plaque and gingivitis protection)
Pros
- Kills 99% of germs to improve breath
- Provides full strength gingivitis and plaque protection
- Prevents plaque regrowth
- Can reverse gingivitis in only a fortnight
- Paraben and alcohol free
- Contains whitening agent to counter staining
- Strong mint taste
Cons
- Active ingredient can still cause staining in some cases
- Some users report burning sensation
- Some users report a lasting aftertaste or loss of taste
Crest Pro Health Clinical Rinse is the most advanced product in the Pro Health range.
The active ingredient, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, is clinically proven to significantly reduce plaque, gingivitis inflammation and bleeding. In the Clinical Rinse it is at a higher concentration than in other Crest products (view details).
Cetylpyridinium Chloride is an antimicrobial that can cause tooth staining in a few people. In Crest Pro Health Clinical Rinse a whitening agent is used to counter this.
Crest Pro Health Clinical Rinse is also clinically proven to prevent plaque regrowth and reverse gingivitis in only a fortnight of use.
Crest Clinical Rinse is suitable for anyone seeking an alcohol-free option that wishes to improve and maintain their general oral health. The addition of hydrogen peroxide does (for some) avoid the staining that can occur when using antimicrobial mouthwashes.
However, some users still report staining as well as a burning sensation during and after use. Since the product is alcohol free this is probably due to the hydrogen peroxide. So, if you have sensitive gums or are following a tooth whitening regime it may not be suitable, or you may wish to buy a single bottle (which is still nearly a liter of product) before saving money on larger multi pack options.
Crest Pro Health Clinical Rinse Ingredients
Active: Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.1% (antimicrobial)
Inactive: Water, glycerin (hydrates the mouth), flavoring, poloxamer 407 (helps to disperse the product), sucralose (artificial sweetener), hydrogen peroxide (whitening).
- ADVANCED MOUTHWASH: Crest's most advanced mouthwash ever, providing mouthwash benefits and acting as an...
- CLINICAL STRENGTH: Offers clinical strength plaque and gingivitis protection, making it an effective...
- PLAQUE CONTROL: Clinically proven to reduce plaque and help prevent plaque regrowth, making it a superior...
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Active Strengthening (Best for Enamel Strengthening)
Pros
- Kills germs that cause bad breath and freshens breath
- Alcohol free
- Helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities
- Contains fluoride
- Gives a lasting clean mouth feel
- Cool mint flavor
Cons
- Active antimicrobial ingredient can cause staining in some cases
- Contains parabens and artificial coloring
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Active Strengthening mouthwash is an alcohol-free product designed to strengthen tooth enamel and restore ph balance to the mouth. This helps to reduce the harmful acids that erode tooth enamel and cause cavities.
The active ingredient used to strengthen tooth enamel is sodium fluoride. The addition of sodium fluoride to mouthwash is known to reduce cavities.
The product also contains Cetylpyridinium Chloride (at a lower level than in other Crest products). This is an ingredient that is clinically proven to kill the germs that cause bad breath and reduce plaque, gingivitis inflammation and bleeding. However, it can cause staining in some individuals.
Advanced Active Strengthening mouthwash is suitable for anyone wanting an alcohol-free rinse that wishes to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce cavities. However, if teeth whitening is also a priority, you may wish to try a smaller size to see if you’re susceptible to staining before investing in a multi pack option.
Crest Pro Health Advanced Active Strengthening Mouthwash Ingredients
Active: Sodium Fluoride (0.02%) Cetylpyridinium Chloride (antimicrobial)
Inactive: Water, glycerin (hydrates the mouth), flavoring, poloxamer 407 (helps to disperse the product), sodium saccharin and sucralose (artificial sweeteners), methylparaben and propylparaben (preserve and stabilize the product), phosphoric acid and disodium phosphate (helps to restore ph balance), yellow 6 and green 3 coloring.
Crest Pro-Health Advanced with Extra Tartar Protection (Best for Tartar Control)
Pros
No products found.- Helps prevent tartar build up and cavities
- Kills germs that cause bad breath and freshens breath
- Helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities
- Contains fluoride
- Gives a lasting clean mouth feel
- Helps protect against surface staining
- Mild flavor
Cons
- Contains alcohol
- Contains artificial coloring and sweeteners
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra with Tartar Protection mouthwash is not alcohol free. Despite this, users rarely complain of a burning sensation during use and comment favorably on its mild flavor.
It is specifically designed to help you ‘escape the scrape’. Whilst it targets tartar build up, it is an all-round product that also strengthens tooth enamel, protects against cavities, freshens breath and helps to reduce surface staining (view details).
The active ingredient used to strengthen tooth enamel is sodium fluoride which is clinically proven to reduce cavities.
It is one of the few products in the Pro Health mouthwash range that does not contain Cetylpyridinium Chloride (an antimicrobial).
No products found.
Advanced Extra with Tartar Protection mouthwash is suitable for anyone who experiences problems with tartar build up. It is also a good all-round mouthwash and its emphasis on reducing tooth staining makes it suitable if teeth whitening is also a priority. Money can be saved by investing in a multi pack option.
Crest Pro Health Advanced Extra with Tartar Protection Mouthwash Ingredients
Active: Sodium Fluoride (0.02%)
Inactive: Water, glycerin (hydrates the mouth), alcohol (8%), disodium pyrophosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate (prevent tartar and stain build up), polysorbate and poloxamer 407 (help to disperse the product), flavoring, sodium saccharin and sucralose (artificial sweeteners), blue 1 coloring.
No products found.
Crest Pro-Health Advanced with Extra Whitening (Best for Whitening)
Pros
No products found.- Foaming action combined with hydrogen peroxide gently whitens teeth
- Kills germs that cause bad breath and freshens breath
- Helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities
- Contains fluoride
- Alcohol free
- Mild flavor
Cons
- Contains artificial coloring and sweeteners
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Mouthwash is an alcohol-free product designed to gently whiten teeth. It contains foaming ingredients and hydrogen peroxide for this purpose.
It also contains fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel and ingredients that restore ph balance to the mouth. This helps to reduce the harmful acids that erode tooth enamel and cause cavities (view details).
The active ingredient used to strengthen tooth enamel is sodium fluoride which is clinically proven to reduce cavities.
It is one of only a few rinses in the Pro Health mouthwash range that does not contain Cetylpyridinium Chloride which can cause staining.
No products found.
Advanced Extra Whitening mouthwash will suit anyone who is concerned about tooth staining or who is undertaking a tooth whitening regime. It is also engineered to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities as well as freshening breath. Money can be saved by investing in a multi pack option.
Crest Pro Health Advanced Extra Whitening Mouthwash Ingredients
Active: Sodium Fluoride (0.02%)
Inactive: Water, glycerin (hydrates the mouth), hydrogen peroxide (whitening), polysorbate 80 and poloxamer 407 (help to disperse the product), sodium saccharin and sucralose (artificial sweeteners), phosphoric acid and disodium phosphate (restore ph balance).
No products found.
How to use Crest Pro Health mouthwashes
Our advice is not to use mouthwash immediately after brushing. Your toothpaste contains ingredients that continue to work even after brushing. Using mouthwash immediately will mean you lose the benefits of those ingredients.
Good times to use a mouthwash are mid-morning and after eating lunch (when you may not have access to your toothbrush).
Crest Pro Health mouthwashes are suitable for children over 6 and adults.
- Vigorously swish 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) of mouthwash between your teeth for 1 minute and then spit out.
- Do not swallow the mouthwash!
- Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after use.
Crest customer service
Crest can be contacted by email, telephone or via social media. They often respond to reviews left on their website: https://crest.com/en-us/contact-us.
Pro Health mouthwash conclusion
Crest is a long and well established oral health brand and its Pro Health range offers something for everyone.
Crest have come under criticism for continuing to use Cetylpyridinium Chloride in some of its products. This antimicrobial ingredient is authorized as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration. However, in some individuals it can cause temporary tooth staining and long-lasting aftertaste.
Crest defend their continued use of this ingredient because it is extremely effective at reducing and controlling plaque and gingivitis. The long-lasting aftertaste is evidence of the ability of Cetylpyridinium Chloride to remain in the mouth for long periods and offer 12-hour protection.
If you find you are susceptible to this ingredient the Pro Health Advanced Anti Plaque and Advanced Extra Whitening rinses are Cetylpyridinium Chloride free.
For those users who have experienced staining, unpleasant aftertastes or burning sensations Crest mouthwashes have attracted unfavorable reviews. For fans of the Pro Health range, however, the mouthwashes are regarded as almost miraculous in their efficacy.
Ultimately, since we all respond differently to pharmaceutical products, finding the perfect mouthwash for you is a matter of trial and error. However, Crest have invested a great deal of time and money in their products and in our view, it is worth giving the one that seems most suitable for you a try!
Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here are directions for using Crest ProHealth Mouthwash:
1. Vigorously swish 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) of mouthwash between your teeth for 1 minute and then spit out.
2. Do not swallow the rinse.
3. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing.
My question is: after swishing for 1 minute (and spitting out), can I immediately rinse my mouth with water to get rid of the taste? Or do I have to wait for 30 minutes (item #2). For item #3- “ . . . after rinsing.”- does that mean rinsing with the rinse in item #1, or referring to my question- does that mean I can rinse my mouth with water after spitting out the mouthwash?
Thank you for a timely response.
WLC
Hi, thanks for your feedback. I can see that my instructions are not clear. I was trying not to use the word mouthwash too many times!
To get the maximum benefit from all the ingredients in the mouthwash, you should not rinse your mouth out with water immediately after use. Wait as long as you can, for 30 minutes if possible.
I will change the original post in the light of your feedback and thanks for getting back to us.
no water after the mouthwash, you will wash it away by immediately rinsing