Can you use mouthwash too often

Everyone wants to maintain a healthy mouth with minty fresh breath. But if you use too much mouthwash , you might not get the intended. Studies have shown that when it comes to mouthwash , there can be too much of a good thing. Dentists often recommend mouthwash as part of a healthy oral hygiene routine.

It’s important to understand however, that mouthwash isn’t just a last-resort tool you can turn to eliminate bad breath in a flash for emergencies.

When used properly, rinsing with mouthwash can help you eliminate potentially harmful bacteria in the furthest reaches and minute crevices of your mouth. However, as with brushing, it is possible to rinse excessively. Your dentist can advise you more on when and if you need to use mouthwash based on your unique smile! Of course, the key answer to the question is that mouthwash does not have to be used at all! Unless a dental care provider has prescribed a medically oriented mouthwash (such as one to help with “cotton mouth” due to medication or a specific health problem), it is not actually necessary.

Exactly the same with my dentist (I refuse to pay a hygienist). He also said that if you do use it,. Mouthwash is linked to oral cancer risk.

While the science is still unclear, it seems likely that alcohol-containing mouthwashes may increase your risk for oral cancer. One underlying reason for this link may be the fact that people who smoke tend to use mouthwash more often to cover the odor, which exacerbates their risk for oral cancer. Well, the thing with doing using mouthwash so many times aday, depending on your diet if you eat a lot of fruit, and then you are going to use something as strong as listerine, your just stripping the enamel straight from your teeth. I recommend that you do not use iodine mouthwashes because they may discolor your teeth, it is better to use listerine which is approved by ADA to reduce plaque and gingival and periodontal diseases.

Smelly compounds from your garlicky lunch, for example, are actually coming from your lungs as you exhale, so freshening your mouth won’t help for long. Your saliva can work against you too. Saliva dilutes mouthwash.

If you choose to leave it in, try not to drink or anything for minutes. If you use a strong mouthwash that uses a high concentration of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, it might not be a good idea to not rinse your mouth. Leaving strong mouthwash in your mouth may irritate, dry, or cause other problems in your mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth or ulcers in your mouth, using an alcohol-based mouthwash can make these problems worse. These types of mouthwash actually dry out the tissue in the mouth as they evaporate, causing more dry mouth and irritating sores in your mouth.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Whether we’re pressed for time in the morning, afternoon, in between snacks, or in the evening, many of us may reach for the mouthwash when toothpaste or dental floss is nowhere in sight. However, mouthwash does more than simply give you fresh breath. It can even get below the gum line to kill bacteria.

Chlorhexidine containing mouth rinses may cause staining and affect oral flora.

The are no specific guidelines how long to use chlorhexidine containing mouth rinses but one sources discourages using it more than 3-weeks (3). There are some health concerns also regarding the alcohol containing mouth rinses. You can actually kill all the good bacteria in your mouth, allowing the bad bacteria to invade your mouth. Using too much mouthwash can also dry out your mouth.

An individual will likely be fine if he rinses with this solution and spits it out, even if he accidentally swallows a small amount. Cosmetic mouthwash masks bad breath but does not treat the cause of bad breath. Therapeutic mouthwash , on the other han does kill the bacteria that causes bad breath while reducing plaque, gingivitis, and cavities. Once you have chosen your mouthwash , use it once a day before or after brushing, or more often if your dentist instructs you to do so. Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth just after using this medication.

Do not use any other mouthwash unless your doctor has told you to.