Crest Pro Health Rinse Complaints Mount
A small, but vocal group of former Crest Pro Health Rinse users have taken to the internet, and the court system to voice their displeasure for the product. So, what has these people so irked about Crest Pro Health Rinse? Well, apparently they experienced discoloration of their teeth and an odd numbing taste(despite being a non-alcoholic product).
Former Crest Pro Health Rinse user “Zero Stars For Me” had this to say on an Amazon.com customer review:
This garbage put dingy yellow and brown stains on my teeth, especially near the gums. A dental cleaning failed to get them off. If I had known this mouthwash could cause stains, I would never have used it in the first place. If my next dental cleaning fails to remove the yellow on my teeth, P&G may have a lawsuit on their hands. It’s to the point where I don’t want to even talk or smile. These Pro Health products should be illegal.
That’s just scratching the surface, no pun intended. Take a look at more reviews of Crest Pro Health Rinse on Amazon.com. Popular Blogger, Andy Wibbels also rang in on this issue in a post he boldly called, “Crest Pro Health Mouthwash Turning Customers Teeth Brown,” in which hundreds of Ex-Pro Health Rinse users lashed out at Proctor & Gamble(Crest’s Parent Company) and fervently denounced the product.
Many former users of Crest Pro Health Rinse want to take their case one step further – to the court system. NBC5.com reports that, “a federal lawsuit alleging fraud in a proposed class action is currently pending in Georgia.” Furthermore, the “U.S. Food and Drug administration is currently gathering more information on complaints.” This story gained national attention recently on NBC’s “Today” show.
Proctor & Gamble’s Response
As reported by NBC5.com, Dr. Robert Gerlach, conductor of clinical research on Crest Pro Health Rinse, had this to say in defense of the product:
“I want to assure you that Crest Pro-Health Rinse is safe and effective: the millions of consumers who use it every day, and the growing number of dentists who recommend it, can attest to that,” Gerlach said on the site. “We perform extensive scientific and safety testing on all of our products and their ingredients before they are marketed, and continue to monitor them once in market. Crest Pro-Health Rinse’s active ingredient has been recognized as safe and effective by an FDA advisory panel, and the label meets current FDA standards.”
The “FAQ” section of the Crest website also serves to defend the product. In it, Crest addresses the concerns of a dental hygienist that noticed staining in her patients’ teeth as a result of using Crest Pro Health Rinse this way:
Teeth discoloration could actually be one indication, in some people, that the product is working: after the rinse kills germs in your mouth, the dead germs can collect on the teeth surface and create the appearance of a brown stain.
My Thoughts
I can’t see this as any consolation for those that experienced the sort of staining that we’ve read about on Amazon.com and Andy’s Blog. In fact, it seems to minimize the emotions experienced by the affected.
If you’ll remember, back in September of 2007, I wrote a review of Crest Pro Health Rinse. This was before the can of worms was opened. I didn’t experience the brown staining myself, but as you can see by the outcry, the problem does appear to be legitimate. If it is indeed legitimate, I think Proctor & Gamble will have to take a hard look at this product and decide whether they want to be a socially responsible company or a strictly profit-motivated company.
Have you used Crest Pro Health Rinse? What were your personal results? What should be Proctor & Gamble’s response to the outcry?
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Reader Comments
wisdom May 19th
That does not sound very fair to the customers. How could they develop a product that makes people’s teeth worse.
drdental May 19th
That’s a good question. What I don’t understand is how this issue wasn’t present in clinical trials. If it was, why was it not taken seriously?
Steven June 18th
I just learned that Crest Pro Health mouthwash was what has been causing horrible brown stains on my teeth. I started a healthy diet about 2 years ago and a year ago my dental hygentist recommended Crest Pro Health Mouthwash. At the time I was eating a lot of apples and bananas. The stains started and I asked a dentist friend of mine and he thought it was the acidity from the fruits. I quit eating apples and the stains continued. Today I went for another cleaning and my hygentist mentioned she had heard about this.
Regarding some of Crest’s claims – I don’t drink any coffee or wine. My diet is low-sugar, low-salt and lots of water.
My last 2 cleanings have been rought trying to get the stains off my teeth – scaling and dental sandpaper.
What an awful product! And these are people going the extra mile to protect their teeth. No Crest products in my house anymore.
drdental June 18th
Hi Steven,
I’m sorry to hear about your horrible experience with this product. It’s amazing to me that it’s still on the market, since the “brown stain” problem is effecting what I consider to be a significant percentage of Crest Pro Health Rinse users. Time will tell if the public outcry is enough to convince Crest from pulling the product. I’m not holding my breath, however.
riobianca July 15th
I have been using Pro Health for about 2 years. I went for a dental cleaning today and told the hygenist I am having more staining than usual between the teeth and at the gumline. She asked me if I am using Pro Health. I had no idea it causes staining, there is no warning at all on the bottle. I think Crest should stop selling this product ASAP or reformulate it. I think I will stop buying all of their products now.
drdental July 15th
I’m sorry to heat that Riobianca. It doesn’t surprise me that your dental hygienist or dentist was aware of the problems associated with Pro Health rinse. The problems are now well documented all over the web, yet Crest continues to stand behind their product. At this point, it appears as if they’re content to ignore the obvious staining the product has been causing. However, I know some people have attempted to set up a class action suit, but I’m not sure where that stands at the moment. In any case, it sounds like going cold turkey with the product is a good decision.
Aaron August 31st
I have not used the rinse, but I have experienced the same brown staining between my teeth with the Crest Pro Health toothpaste. I’ve been using the product for 3 months now. It’s extremely disconcerting that these products are still on store shelves.
drdental August 31st
Aaron, thanks for the heads-up. I know that most people have been complaining about the rinse as opposed to the toothpaste, but it’s certainly conceivable that they both have issues. After all, they are part of the same product family. In the interest of verification, I would try it myself, but…I like my white teeth too much to subject them to even the possibility of brown stains!
Anais gave October 7th
OMG!!! I have been using both products for about a year and I have brown stains betwen my teeth and I just when to the dentist two weeks ago and he did not say anything about cavities. He told me that everything was fine and I was really worry about because I do not have dental insurance and I have to pay a lot for a cleaning. I just brushed my teeth with crest pro health and mouthwash and I feel so bad!!!
Anais gave October 7th
what can use to take the stains out?
Steve October 10th
I saw my dentist today and learned that Crest Pro Health Rinse was the cause of my problems too. I had really bad stains and never could have guessed that it was my mouthwash that was to blame! I changed my coffee drinking habits, new toothbrush, filtered water, etc. and even increased my use of the mouthwash to try and fight it! Well, I’m pretty angry that I went through all that hassle (and embarrassment) while Crest knows it’s a problem and still sells it. I’m just glad my dentist had a clue!
drdental October 10th
Steve, I’m sorry to hear about your bad experiences with this product. I’m hearing stories about Crest Pro Health Rinse causing brown staining almost every day. Luckily, as you experienced, dentists are becoming acutely aware of the issues this rinse has caused their patients, and are recommending alternatives. I’ll be curious to see if Crest decides to be responsible and yank this product off the market. Time will tell.
Robyn October 14th
I’ve been using Pro-Health toothpaste for about a month now and have had nothing but amazing changes in my teeth. I used to have a problem with staining because of teeth being too close together and this toothpaste has taken away all the stains that I had. I wondering if there is a time delay in any of this though. I guess I’m going to keep watch because nothing has cleaned my teeth like this toothpaste.
drdental October 15th
Thanks for the feedback. I know the Crest Pro-Health products have been causing a lot of problems for a lot of people, so it’s certainly good to hear it’s working for someone.
Stephanie October 29th
I also began getting brown stains on my teeth that looked terrible, as if I did not floss. I was horrified because I take such good care of my teeth by brushing them twice a day and flossing. A visit to my dentist to scrape off the brown spots confirmed that the mouthwash was the cause of these stains. I am extremely disappointed in Crest and was angered to learn that this has been happening to people for more than 2 years and they have done nothing about it.
drdental October 29th
Sorry to hear that you’ve experienced the same stains that a lot of other users have experienced. I’m still waiting for Crest to confirm that they goofed with this product…not holding my breath…
Domo-Kun September 27th
I read other reviews and personally I feel people are just trying to start things for attention and to sue the company for money. Many of the reviews state that there has been no photo-graphical evidence proposed, also its only blog complaints on sites. If it was such a problem why aren’t there more actually complaining to the company instead of wasting time on blogs. I’ve been using it without many problems at all. The stains can be prevented by brushing regularly and flossing from what I’ve found out.
Cory Kemp October 1st
Llama, I can certainly understand how you’ve come to that conclusion. However, a simple Google search will bring up hundreds of customer complaints regarding the staining-effects of Crest Pro-Health Rinse. I’m not saying one way or the other whether the product is harmful. In fact, I didn’t notice the staining effects many people are complaining about. That being said, the number of people speaking out against this product leads me to believe that their claims are legitimate.
Mary R October 19th
Yes, it stains. It is a faulty product! Who cares that it works for some…it is not safe for all….get rid of it
ssc October 23rd
I can’t taste anything because of that stuff! Crest sucks! I am not buying their products anymore!
Jake December 14th
I just had my 6 month dental check up and cleaning at my Dentist today. My Dentist examined my teeth and noticed lots of brown staining on my teeth which where not present the last time he examined me. He asked me if I smoked, or if I drink coffee or soda. I never smoked a cigarette in my life or drank coffee and I have not had soda in about 10 years. I told him I was rinsing with Crest Pro Health every night at the recommendation of the Hygienist. He than mentioned this to the Hygienist and she stated that she heard that this was a side effect that has been found in a small percentage of users. Fortunately for me the stains where removed after a heavy cleaning. I cannot believe that Crest would sell a product that stains teeth and does not warn potential users about it. The purpose of using these products is to have nice clean and healthy looking teeth and not teeth that look like you smoke cigarettes and drink coffee and soda all day. Shame on Crest!
Linda January 6th
I used Crest Pro-Health mouthwash for the first time a couple of days ago. Later that day it felt like I had unknowingly burned the roof of my mouth. That sensation continues, and now one side of my mouth feels as if I just had a filling and the novocaine hasn’t worn off completely – numbness in my gums, now spreading to my lips and face. I just hope this stuff hasn’t caused any permanent damage. There should definitely be some type of warning printed on the label.
Athena January 14th
Just got back from my cleaning and I have never had staining. I just had to sit in the chair for over an hour because my teeth were that horrible. I don’t drink coffee, cola, tea, or smoke. This was 100% crest’s doing.
changmin January 16th
I have my dental cleaning twice a year. Since I used Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash from late of 2007, my teeth were terribly stained, which both I and my dentist noticed. In October, 2009, I changed my dentist and the new hygienist told me that Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash does stain teeth and asked me to use Listerine. Since I stop using Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash, my teeth are white and are not stained anymore.
I heard news last night about the horrible side effects of Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash. The company spokeswoman said that the stain results from dead bacteria, which indicates that Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash is working. I don’t think so. I always brush my teeth with toothpaste first, then floss, then use Mouthwash, finally, wash my teeth with waterpik (three cup of water) to get rid of the smell.
Carol C. January 16th
Any product that causes some people to experience numbness, loss of the sense of taste, and teeth staining should carry a prominent warning label. Until that happens, I think we should all continue to spread the news about Crest Pro-”Health”. I am appalled that Proctor & Gamble continues to sell this awful product, when they are well aware of these side effects.
Donna Mearns February 10th
about 6 months ago I too got on the computer to see why my teeth were turning black,black was around my lips and some kind of gooey green stuff was coming out of my mouth after rinsing with Crest Pro Health. I called Crest in an outrage so bad they switched me to another person to talk to. I told them I was 64 and always floss and rinse and brush my teeth at least three times a day. I also told them that I may be 64 but I would still like to keep the teeth I have! Well, I got the same runaround and explanations that everyone else got-a free battery operated toothbrush and coupons for theirproducts. I told them I wouldn’t be needingtheirproducts because I was already complaining about one of their other products. Well, then they offered me a free cleaning, which I have topay for first before being reimbursed. Do they also realize that also means ex-rays, etc.including the teeth cleaning I called my dentist and they said it would cost me at least $115.00 to start. I am retired and havetowatch every penny, so what do you do, not pay a couple billsor go to the dentist. Well I finally decided tosave up the money and have my teeth worked on but the problem is when will I have this money? What really upset me was my grandson (who we raised and is now 18) was also having the same problem. He has a medical card so it was no problem for him but hemay have to go back for a second cleaning and until we started using Crest Pro Health he had no problem because he had his teeth cleaned twice a year. I know this is a long letter but I also yold them they should put a warning on the bottle(which I dumped and saved the bottle) and it’s a good thing because they asked me for thecode on the bottle,etc. Thanks so much for listening after I finally told Crest off!
Judith Anderson February 24th
Crest prohealth mouthwash caused horrible unsightly embarrassing stains between my teeth. I have had my teeth cleaned several extra times–thank goodness she could clean them!!! It is ridiculous to think that such a product is for sale to the public in the USA! Absolutely disgusting…..
Judith Anderson February 24th
This Crest prohealth mouthwash is a disgusting product that has caused me anguish, time, money, and embarrassment!!!! Thank God my hygenist can clean my teeth…. I am getting charged for only the 7 bottom teeth…. The top teeth have been spared since they are veneers…. Even a reembursement would be nice…. Crest should be sued bigtime!!!!
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