Can LISTERINE® mouthwash prevent sore throat? No. LISTERINE® mouthwash products are only intended to be used to help prevent common oral health problems like bad breath, plaque, cavities, gingivitis and tooth stains. Please consult with your doctor on how to treat, prevent or relieve the pain of a sore throat.
Rinse regularly using a mouthwash, gently swishing alcohol-free mouthwash around your mouth helps kill bacteria and loosen tonsil stones.
Research shows that commony available mouth wash containing povidone iodine or chlorhexidine is effective in reducing the intensity and duration of the symptoms of sore throat.
Antiseptic mouthwashes kill nearly all germs: bacteria, virus, fungi, etc. These are most effective BEFORE getting sick but can still be used when your throat is sore.
Fluoride (Purple):
It is also known as an anti-cavity mouthwash, which means if you have problems with cavities it could be the best mouthwash for you. It also remains in your saliva for a while, so it is highly recommended to not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour after using it.
Boasting several antimicrobial benefits, LISTERINE® Antiseptic mouthwash lyses, kills, and inhibits growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
One of the main ingredients in mouthwash is alcohol. Alcohol destroys bacteria, but it can also cause harm to your gums, inner cheeks and tongue if over used. The alcohol itself has a drying property that will absorb the moisture from your mouth and cause the affected areas to dry out.
Can You Use Too Much Mouthwash? Using mouthwash several times a day for a long period of time may cause more harm than good, especially if you're using an alcohol-based brand. Alcohol can irritate the soft tissues of the mouth and may also cause dry mouth.
Drinking large amounts of mouthwash may cause symptoms similar to drinking large amounts of alcohol (drunkenness). Swallowing large amounts of methyl salicylate and hydrogen peroxide may also cause serious stomach and intestine symptoms. It can also lead to changes in the body's acid-base balance.
Because COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus, a COVID-19 sore throat may look and feel like other viral sore throats. One clue that you have viral pharyngitis is that it is often accompanied by other common symptoms.
Breathing through your mouth — often because of chronic nasal congestion — also can cause a dry, sore throat. Irritants. Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat.
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better within a week. Most are caused by minor illnesses such as cold or flu and can be treated at home.
Alcohol-based mouthwashes (read: the vast majority of them) have a habit of drying out the tissue in your mouth. As alcohol evaporates, it takes saliva and other moisture with it, worsening cases of dry mouth. Not to mention, mouthwash stings, meaning it can aggravate ulcers and sores.
Avoid Scope, Listerine and the other commercial mouthwashes. They're acidic, contain potentially cancer-causing chemicals, and are just plain bad for you. Simpler, gentler, homemade rinses and those from CariFree, however, can soothe your mouth and balance your pH, among other benefits.
Menthol is in toothpaste, gum — and of course — mouthwash, and it is sourced as an oil primarily from peppermint. This gives it a strong, minty flavor and makes your mouth tingly and cold.
Additionally, a special antibacterial mouth rinse called Chlorhexidine (Chlorhexidine gluconate) is known to cause slight stain or discoloration of the teeth even though it is very effective at preventing bad bacteria from sticking to the teeth.
Thymol has antiseptic qualities that can help fight oral infection while methyl salicaylate provides a flavoring agent for fresh breath. If you've ever used Listerine, you may have noticed that it burns. The burn that it causes is the result of alcohol in it as well as the essential oils described above.
LISTERINE HEALTHY WHITE VIBRANT® can help make your teeth their whitest, while restoring enamel. It whitens by removing tough surface stains and uses fluoride to help strengthen your enamel. So go ahead, flash those pearly whites! Adults and children 12 years and older: Use twice daily after brushing with toothpaste.
Gargling
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt — or a similar amount of baking soda — in a glass of warm water. Gargle (but don't swallow) the concoction every three hours for an all-natural sore throat remedy. Salt water can help reduce swelling and irritation in your throat.