Why You Should Avoid Having Alcohol in Your Mouthwash
Posted on 12/7/2020 by Moyer Office
A popular way to combat bad breath is to use mouthwash with alcohol, which in theory kills the bad bacteria in your mouth that lead to bad breath. Sounds like it makes sense, right? Well, What you may not know is that mouthwash with alcohol, also known as ethanol, can be worse than not using mouthwash at all. Let's look at some reasons you should avoid alcohol in your mouthwash.
Mouthwash Isn't a Substitute For Brushing and Flossing
The brief and intense feeling you get when using mouthwash with alcohol gives the impression that it's cleaning your mouth - like a pressure washer for your mouth. The burn of the alcohol combined with flavorings in mouthwash may make your mouth feel clean, like brushing and flossing do. In reality, mouthwash can't get to the loose food debris and plaque that toothbrushes and dental floss do. While mouthwash may make your mouth feel clean, don't forget to brush and floss regularly.
Mouthwash Causes Bad Breath
It sounds counterintuitive, but mouthwash with alcohol in it actually makes the bad breath worse. It dries saliva that helps protect your mouth from harmful bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. A common idea is that the alcohol kills bacteria that cause bad breath, and while this is technically true, the alcohol also kills the good bacteria in your mouth too. A dried out mouth without its good bacteria quickly becomes a breeding ground for those bad bacteria to come back and reproduce, therefore causing bad breath. If you want to use mouthwash, consider a natural type without alcohol. Alternatively, it actually doesn't hurt you to not use any mouthwash as long as you brush and floss your teeth regularly.
Alcohol in mouthwash may not be as good as you thought, but it's not the end of the world if you've used it. Call us today if you have any other concerns or questions about using mouthwash.
About Our Paradise Valley Dental Practice • David R. Moyer, DDS Looking for the right dentist for you? Learn more about our top-rated Paradise Valley dentist, David R. Moyer, DDS, today! David R. Moyer, DDS, 10920 N. Tatum Blvd, Suite #103 Phoenix, AZ 85208; 480.935.6295; moyerdds.com; 3/31/2023; Associated Words: Dentist Paradise Valley;
A popular way to combat bad breath is to use mouthwash with alcohol, which in theory kills the bad bacteria in your mouth that lead to bad breath. Sounds like it makes sense, right? Well, What you may not know is that mouthwash with alcohol, also known as ethanol, can be worse than not using mouthwash at all. Let's look at some reasons you should avoid alcohol in your mouthwash.