Mouthwash with Alcohol Dries Out Your Oral Tissues
Posted on 12/7/2020 by McDonald Office
While you can use an antibacterial mouthwash to effectively treat gum disease and to reduce gingivitis, you should be careful about using mouth rinses or mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Alcohol dries the oral tissues and causes dental complaints, such as dry mouth or bad breath. Saliva washes away harmful bacteria and is a natural component in a healthy mouth. Therefore, alcohol should not be a listed ingredient when you are using a mouthwash to clean the breath or prevent gingivitis.
What Type of Mouth Rinse is Best?
Most dental patients use an alcohol-based mouthwash to get rid of bad breath. However, the use of alcohol in a mouthwash is counterproductive, and ultimately ineffective. While the alcohol may kill germs for the short-term, the high amount of alcohol reduces the saliva in the mouth, which, in turn, worsens bad breath or halitosis. The main job of saliva is to flush away harmful bacteria so the bacteria cannot stick to the gums and teeth. Therefore, as noted, saliva is critical to good care of the teeth and gums. By using an alcohol-based mouthwash, you are still giving bacteria an opportunity to breed. Ask us about our recommendations for an antimicrobial mouthwash that does not contain alcohol.
Why an Alcohol-free, Antimicrobial Mouthwash Is Better
A mouthwash that is free of alcohol but is an antimicrobial rinse treats the underlying cause of the bad breath, rather than providing a temporary “fix.” Also, without the added alcohol, the mouthwash maintains the natural balance of the saliva. This type of balance is crucial for properly breaking down starches in the mouth and flushing out harmful bacteria. Also, by taking this approach, you will support the natural digestive process. Using a mouthwash with alcohol will dry out the mucous membranes, which leads to gum and tooth sensitivity as well as bleeding gums. One study, published in the 2008 Australian Dental Journal, even showed a possible connection between the use of an alcohol-based mouth rinse and oral cancer.
Be careful about what you use when rinsing your mouth. Talk to us about what we prescribe for total mouth care. Set up an appointment with us today to set up a professional cleaning and consultation.
While you can use an antibacterial mouthwash to effectively treat gum disease and to reduce gingivitis, you should be careful about using mouth rinses or mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Alcohol dries the oral tissues and causes dental complaints, such as dry mouth or bad breath. Saliva washes away harmful bacteria and is a natural component in a healthy mouth. Therefore, alcohol should not be a listed ingredient when you are using a mouthwash to clean the breath or prevent gingivitis.