DANGERS of MOUTHWASH!

When it comes to good hygiene, you might think of mouthwash as part of your daily routine. However, there are many potential dangers in mouthwash that you might not know about.

Oral Irritation – Alcohol-based mouthwashes can be very irritating, especially to canker sores and ulcers in your mouth. The irritation can actually make these sores and ulcers worse!

Chemical Interactions – The chemicals in the mouthwash may interact negatively with the chemicals in your toothpaste. This could lead to oral irritation, or the chemicals may simply cancel each other out.

Ineffective – The truth is that mouthwash just "masks" the bad breath, but it doesn't deal with the bacteria, food particles, and infections that cause it. If you have chronic bad breath, covering the smell with mouthwash will do nothing to help you deal with the root cause.

Potential Link to Oral Cancer – Since the 1970s, there has been an ongoing debate about whether or not mouthwash—both fluoride- and alcohol-based mouthwashes—can lead to an increased risk of oral cancer. A 2014 study found that people with poor oral health had the highest risk of oral cancers. Considering the ineffectiveness of mouthwash, using it daily could raise your cancer risk.

Sensitive Teeth – Alcohol-based mouthwashes can dissolve the mucus layer protecting your teeth, leaving them vulnerable and causing increased sensitivity.

Bacterial Disruption – The beneficial bacteria living in your mouth may be disrupted by the chemicals in antibacterial mouthwash. This disruption can cause harmful bacteria to flourish and alter your oral pH balance. Worse, it may lead to oral thrush, bad breath, and cavities.

Dries Out Your Mouth – The alcohol in many types of mouthwash (including Listerine) will dry out your mouth, eliminating the saliva that is protecting your mouth from bacteria. You will very likely end up with worse breath thanks to your mouthwash.