I have been using mouthwash on and off forever. I was under the illusion it killed off most of the bacteria and gave you fresh breath which is true to a degree.
But only recently have I come to know about the bad side of mouthwash and its to do with the alcohol content that is within them.
To simply answer the question: YES, Mouthwash Is Bad For You but…
This is only if you use an Alcohol based solution. Ethanol is the choice for many and in some cases it can be as high as 26% concentration.
It’s mainly used because it has antiseptic properties and is cheap to produce but is bad because it has adverse effects on oral structures and functions.
These include:
- burning mouth,
- drying of the oral mucus,
- softening effects on composite filling materials
- mucosal pain.
Some studies have even suggested that there is a risk of oral cancer by using alcohol-based mouthwashes and that is why you are seeing so many mouthwashes being prepared without alcohol.
Some of the biggest name brands such as, Listerine and Sensodyne have alcohol-free rinses.
That should tell you something!
But this is only a simplified answer, there is much more complexity to this issue and we will be covering this right now, so stick around and you too will become the master of mouthwashes.
The History Of Mouthwash
In 1865 English doctor Joseph Lister was the first surgeon to carry out an operation in a chamber that was sterilised with antiseptic.
He was working off the principle that invisible germs could be the cause of various infections.
After scientists realised that antiseptic reduced mortality rate it became a common practice.
In 1879, Doctor Joseph Lawrence worked on a unique formulation in his laboratory, taking inspiration from the research carried out by Sir Joseph Lister. He called this formulation Listerine.
It got really popular and today it is the number 1 mouthwash product selling over 1 billion bottles throughout the world.
BUT doctors did not tell you that mouthwash doesn’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria, it will wipe out anything in its path and that is where the problem lies.
Is There Actually Good Bacteria In Our Mouth?
The active ingredients within mouthwash may be destroying the probiotic bacteria in your mouth and digestive system.
If you did not know already, our body harbors billions of bacteria all with varying degrees of functions and capability to harm us.
In particular, the mouth contains 500 -1000 different species of bacteria, but the good news is that most of the bacterial species look to be harmless when it comes to oral health.
Probiotics are the bacteria that benefit us by helping to digest food. Some even appear to protect our gums and teeth
An example of this is the: Streptococcus salivarius k12
This organism has great potential to become a fantastic probiotic to help fight the problems faced in the oral cavity because it exhibits antimicrobial properties leaving disease causing bacteria redundant.
However, there are quite a number of bacterial populations that are detrimental to our health.
The Worst Kind Of Bacteria In Our Mouth
Streptococcus Mutans is the most common one that comes up when talking about tooth decay.
It is found in every nook and cranny of the oral orifice and causes havoc when in contact with sugar.
The reason for this is any sucrose or sugar-containing product is food for S.Mutans which does not seem too bad at first glance because everything needs to eat right?
The problem is the waste that is produced from these bacteria which is mainly acid and other enzymes that cause the teeth and gums to decay and what’s more it causes the bacteria to increase exponentially.
If this is left untreated then you will attract bacteria that are involved with periodontal disease. An example of this is:
Porphyromonas gingivalis
This is an anaerobic bacteria meaning it can survive in places where no oxygen is present, and its main activity is causing inflammation of the gums.
It also produces a toxin called red complex which aids in disrupting the oral cultures of bacteria that live in harmony in the mouth.
Even though our immune defence fights back some of these P. Gingivalis buggers get underneath the gum line and this is where the beginning of the end starts.
They will break down the bone and connective tissue in and around the teeth. This can ultimately cause the teeth to loosen, some to the point of requiring removal.
The Good Things About Mouthwash
One of the main things mouthwashes are made to do are reduce the bacterial population in our mouths and freshen breath. No doubt this is a good thing and is something every household should have.
There are some other benefits to using mouthwash regularly:
- Prevents plaque build up
There are numerous types of mouthwash that help keep plaque off of your teeth and in between them.
However, it does not remove plaque that already has formed. So make sure to brush and floss as it will help to minimise plaque build up.
- Stop Cavities Forming
Regular use of mouthwash after brushing is great at helping to reduce cavities, most dental professionals recommend using a fluoride-based mouthwash which is proven to reduce cavity formation.
Personally im on the fence about Fluoride after finding out the ugly side to it.
- Helps sooth Canker sores
These are basically ulcers in the mouth, using a mouthwash can help soothe the pain
- Aids in post surgery treatment
Whenever you go for a major treatment such as a filling, root canal or removal of teeth, the dentist will prescribe a specific mouthwash containing chlorohexidine that helps to cure inflammation and sores after dental surgery.
Why Is Mouthwash Bad For You?
These are some common negative things associated with mouthwash that people have noticed:
- Mouthwash can damage some parts of the mouth
High alcohol content mouth rinses can actually burn the soft delicate mucus membranes in the mouth if used aggressively.
Try to go for a low alcohol content mouthwash and only use 2-3 times per day.
- Mouthwash can Cause staining of teeth
When chlorhexidine gluconate comes in contact with food additives left in the mouth, it can result to staining or darkening of the teeth.
The good news is that quite a few mouthwash brands don’t have this ingredient in their product so always check the packaging before you buy.
- Dangerous for children if ingested
Mouthwash can have dangerous health hazards if accidentally ingested.
Some kids might start having convulsions and in more serious cases, will lead to comatose.
Kids between 6-12 years of age should be supervised when using mouthwash. Anyone under 5 should only use mouthwash when told to do so by a dentist.
- Mouthwash will only mask bad breath
The effects of fresh breath will only last a short time simply because mouthwash will never be a substitute for brushing and flossing.
While it can conceal problems by giving temporary fresh breath, it will not be able to address oral issues on its own unless you go for oil-based products which we will talk about in a bit.
Should I Stop Using Alcohol Based Mouthwashes?
The simple answer is YES
It causes the following:
- burning mouth,
- drying of the oral mucus,
- softening effects on composite filling materials
- mucosal pain.
Some studies have also linked high alcohol mouthwashes to cancer, however the evidence is not 100% and needs more looking into but you get the point.
What Should I Use Instead
The better alternatives to use are mouthwashes that contain powerful naturally occurring essential oils. There are 2 that we highly recommend:
The first one is Dental Pro 7 because all the ingredients in it have been studied extensively for
their antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
It helps to cure all sorts of gum problems ranging from:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen or receding gums
- Bad breath
- Mouth ulcers
- red gums
It comes in a mild mint flavor which gives that fresh breath and is very simple to use and can be applied in under 3 minutes.
Read the full review and see if it can help you out: Dental Pro 7 – Scientifically proven
(90 day money back guarantee)
The second product we recommend is The HealThy mouth blend by a company called Orawellness.
It is quite similar to the dental pro 7 in that it uses essential plant oils as its main ingredient.
You can read the full review and see why we rank it so highly on our list.
It does say that it is used primarily for gum disease but it can also double up as a powerful mouthwash.
Feel free to read the full article: Natural Remedy For Gum Disease
(365 day money back guarantee)
I am currently using an orawellness product called the Shine remineralizing powder and seeing good results so far.
I will be posting my full review of that in a couple of weeks so stay tuned. Trust me when I say, you won’t be disappointed if you do decide to try out the mouth blend.
Final Thoughts
Mouthwash is a good addition to any oral health routine but you need to know which type to get.
Alcohol-based mouthwashes are good in certain circumstances such as after an intensive dental operation where you want to minimize any bacterial activity.
But it also causes bacterial populations to increase because it dries the mouth and reduces saliva levels dramatically.
You want to use alcohol-free mouth rinses because they will not cause you too much discomfort and will still give good results.
Our personal recommendation is that you go for an oil-based mouth rinse because they are just as good if not better than traditional mouthwashes and will not cause any bad side effects such as burning of the mouth and dry mouth.
That’s all we have for today and hopefully, this has cleared up a lot of things for you guys.
If you still have any lingering questions please fell free to comment below and we can discuss it.
Related Post: Dental Pro 7 Side Effects
A qualified Dentist who holds the BDS, RDS qualification. When she’s not helping patients with their oral health, you will find her on here writing topics on various dental issues. Her deep passion for writing makes her happy and fulfilled.
