Maintenance of white appearance of teeth

Mouth rinses are available that contain zinc chloride (e.g. LISTERINE^® Green Tea Zero, LISTERINE^® Total Care Zero). Zinc chloride has been shown to inhibit calculus formation through multiple mechanisms.

Zinc ions inhibit the formation and the growth of calculus by:
– Inhibiting plaque biofilm growth^1,2
– Binding to calcium phosphate on plaque biofilm on teeth^1,3
– Displacing calcium phosphate on the plaque biofilm⁴

Calculus formed in the presence of zinc ions is less crystalline, softer and less adherent to the tooth surface,^5,6 and therefore easier to remove mechanically. By helping to reduce calculus build-up, zinc chloride helps keep teeth whiter.

References

1. Jin Y, Yip HK. Supragingival calculus: formation and control. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 2002; 13(5): 426–441.
2. Buch JG. Pharmacology ReCap 2.0 for Bachelor of Dentistry Students. P406.
   
3. Fairbrother KJ, Heasman PA. Anticalculus agents. J Clin Periodontol 2000; 27: 285–301.
4. Ingram GS, Edgar WM. Calcium salt precipitation and mechanisms of inhibition under oral conditions. Adv Dent Res 1995; 9(4): 427–432.
5. LeGeros RZ et al. Zinc effect on the in vitro formation of calcium phosphates: relevance to clinical inhibition of calculus formation. Am J Dent 1999; 12(2): 65–71 .
6. Brunski JB et al. Measurement of tensile bond strength between calculus and tooth surfaces. J Dent Res 2000; 79(IADR Abstracts): 914.