Gum health is extremely important for your overall oral health and hygiene. Bleeding, swollen, or receding gums can indicate gum disease and lead to more serious dental problems if left untreated.
Crest offers two gum care products that claim to help improve gum health – Crest Gum Detoxify and Crest Gum Restore. But what exactly do these products do and which one is better for maintaining healthy gums?
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Crest Gum Detoxify | Crest Gum Restore |
| Format | Liquid oral rinse | Toothpaste |
| Key Ingredients | Stannous fluoride | Stannous fluoride, polyphosphate |
| How it Works | Antimicrobial rinse reaches under gums to kill bacteria | Toothpaste sticks to teeth and gums to actively prevent and treat gum issues |
| Pros | Alcohol-free, freshens breath, gets under gums | Smooths and shields gum tissue, stays on teeth longer |
| Cons | Only one active ingredient, short contact time | Can’t penetrate under gums like rinse |
| Best For | Removing hidden plaque, freshening breath | Repairing early gum damage, preventing further issues |
| Suggested Use | Rinse for 60 seconds twice daily | Brush teeth thoroughly twice daily |
Overview Of Crest Gum Detoxify
Crest Gum Detoxify is an oral rinse that is designed to help remove harmful plaque bacteria from along and under the gumline where brushing and flossing can’t reach. It uses the active ingredient stannous fluoride to target these bacteria.
According to Crest, Gum Detoxify provides the following benefits:
- Helps reverse early gum damage by killing harmful plaque bacteria
- Protects areas that are difficult to reach by brushing and flossing
- Freshens breath for up to 24 hours
- Helps prevent gingivitis and the gum inflammation that can lead to other oral health problems
The suggested use is to rinse with Crest Gum Detoxify for 60 seconds twice daily after brushing. It is an alcohol-free formula with a minty flavor.
Overview Of Crest Gum Restore
Crest Gum Restore is a toothpaste specially formulated to help improve gum health. It contains the active ingredient stannous fluoride as well as polyphosphate.
According to Crest, Gum Restore provides these benefits:
- Helps reverse early signs of gum disease such as gingivitis
- Reduces gum bleeding and swelling
- Forms a protective shield to help prevent further gum damage
- Neutralizes plaque bacteria under the gumline
- Helps prevent tooth decay
The suggested use is to brush thoroughly with Crest Gum Restore toothpaste twice daily. It has a minty flavor and contains fluoride for cavity protection.
Key Ingredient Comparison
The key active ingredient in both Crest Gum Detoxify and Crest Gum Restore is stannous fluoride.
Stannous fluoride has been clinically demonstrated to:
- Reduce gum bleeding and inflammation
- Kill bacteria that cause gingivitis and advanced gum disease
- Prevent plaque buildup and tartar formation along the gumline
- Help rebuild weakened enamel
In Gum Restore toothpaste, stannous fluoride is combined with polyphosphate, which helps protect exposed root surfaces and make teeth extra smooth.
So both products include stannous fluoride to target gum disease, but Gum Restore adds a second active ingredient for extra gum protection.
Pros And Cons Of Crest Gum Detoxify
Pros:
- Alcohol-free oral rinse formula
- Reaches plaque hiding under the gums
- Freshens breath for 24 hours
- Easy to add into your oral care routine
Cons:
- Only uses stannous fluoride as active ingredient
- Requires twice daily use for best results
- Some users report temporary taste alteration or teeth staining
- Must be used in combination with brushing and flossing
Best for: Removing plaque bacteria and freshening breath. The rinse format helps it get to difficult-to-reach areas.
Also Read: Which Should You Choose: Crest Whitening Express Or Professional Effects?
Pros And Cons Of Crest Gum Restore
Pros:
- Combines stannous fluoride and polyphosphate
- Reduces gum bleeding and repairs early gum damage
- Strengthens enamel and smooths root surfaces
- Prevents plaque buildup below gumline
- Protective barrier helps prevent further gum issues
- Twice daily brushing is easy routine
Cons:
- Toothpaste format can’t penetrate under gums like a rinse
- Some users report temporary taste alteration or teeth staining
- Must be used in combination with flossing
Best for: Repairing early gum damage and actively preventing plaque buildup and further gum problems. The toothpaste format makes it an easy addition to your regular oral care routine.
Which Is More Effective?
Both Crest Gum Detoxify and Crest Gum Restore include the key ingredient stannous fluoride to help fight plaque bacteria and reduce gum inflammation.
However, Crest Gum Restore toothpaste appears to be more effective for improving gum health because it combines stannous fluoride with polyphosphate.
Polyphosphate provides added protection by smoothing and shielding exposed root surfaces. It also helps prevent plaque from adhering to teeth.
The toothpaste format also allows the active ingredients to stay on the teeth and gums longer throughout the day.
While the rinse reaches under the gums well, it only makes contact for a minute or so during use. The toothpaste sticks around even after brushing for ongoing protection.
So Crest Gum Restore seems the clear winner when it comes to gum healing and protection.
Also Read: Choose Between Act Restoring And Anticavity.
How To Use Crest Gum Detoxify And Restore Together
While Crest Gum Restore is likely the more effective option for gum health, you can use both products together for maximum benefits:
- Brush thoroughly with Crest Gum Restore toothpaste twice per day.
- Floss to remove any plaque between teeth.
- Rinse for 60 seconds with Crest Gum Detoxify.
The stannous fluoride rinse will help penetrate those hard-to-reach areas under the gums to neutralize bacteria.
Using both allows you to actively prevent and treat gum issues with the toothpaste while also reducing bacteria in those hidden spots with the rinse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Crest Gum Restore and Crest Gum Detoxify are two different products. Gum Restore is a specially formulated toothpaste while Gum Detoxify is an oral rinse. However, they both contain stannous fluoride as the main active ingredient for gum health.
Yes, clinical studies have shown that the key ingredient stannous fluoride is effective at killing harmful plaque bacteria, reducing gum inflammation, and preventing future damage that leads to gingivitis and other gum diseases. The combination with polyphosphate in Gum Restore provides additional gum protection.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of stannous fluoride in Crest Gum Detoxify can help treat receding gums caused by periodontitis. The rinse reaches under the gumline to neutralize bacteria. However, Gum Restore is likely more effective for receding gums since it also contains polyphosphate to physically shield exposed root surfaces.
Regular use of Crest Gum Detoxify can help reverse gingivitis since stannous fluoride targets the bacteria that cause gingival inflammation. But it may not completely resolve gingivitis on its own. For best results, use Crest Gum Detoxify twice daily along with brushing with a stannous fluoride toothpaste like Crest Gum Restore.
Also Read: Comparison Between Crest Radiant Express And Crest Professional White.
The Bottom Line
While both Crest Gum Detoxify and Crest Gum Restore can help improve gum health, Gum Restore appears to be the superior option. The combination of stannous fluoride and polyphosphate provides the most complete gum protection and treatment.
However, you can use both products together to maximize the gum health benefits – brush with Gum Restore toothpaste and follow up with a rinse of Gum Detoxify to reach those hard-to-clean spots.
Consistent daily oral hygiene along with regular dental cleanings and checkups are still essential for maintaining healthy gums and preventing serious gum disease issues. But adding Crest’s gum care products to your routine can provide noticeable improvements in gum inflammation and damage.