Problems With Mouthwash

Mouthwash is commonly used in oral hygiene care. It is convenient to use to quickly freshen up breath and give the mouth a clean feel. Mouthwash, however, sometimes causes more harm than good. Some mouthwashes stain the teeth, cause a burning sensation, alter taste and actually promote bad breath.

Stains on Teeth

• A dentist sometimes prescribes prescription mouthwash after an in-office deep cleaning procedure. Prescription mouthwash contains the active ingredient chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is a strong antibacterial medicine that kills the bacteria that cause gum disease. Chlorexidine sometimes causes brown stains on teeth. Avoid drinks and foods that stain teeth, such as coffee and red wine, while using a prescription mouthwash. Chlorhexidine is usually prescribed for temporary use.

Alcohol Side Effects

• The alcohol concentration in mouthwashes ranges from 18 to 26 percent in leading brands. Alcohol-based mouthwash causes a burning sensation on teeth, gums and inside the cheeks. Dilute the mouthwash with water to lessen the burning sensation. The strong alcohol content sometimes causes painful mouth ulcers. The alcohol content is also high enough to cause intoxication if swallowed, especially in children.

Altered Taste

• After rinsing with a mint-flavored mouthwash, taste perception of foods and drinks are altered. Some sweet foods and drinks taste bitter. After using mouthwash, wait 30 minutes to an hour to avoid this effect.

Bad Breath

• Mouthwash is used to combat bad breath, but it sometimes actually causes it. Mouthwash cures bad breath momentarily by killing odor-causing bacteria, but the alcohol also dries out the saliva glands. Saliva naturally washes away the bad bacteria, in addition to keeping the mouth moist. Once the mouth becomes deprived of saliva, the bad bacteria population increases and causes bad breath.