People who shouldn't use Listerine (especially alcohol-based) include young children (under 6), individuals with dry mouth, those with alcohol dependency, people with compromised immune systems or oral sores, and potentially pregnant individuals, who should opt for alcohol-free versions and consult a dentist about specific conditions like recurring ulcers or cancer risk factors.
If you have a low flow of saliva because of a medical condition or suffer from diabetes, you should avoid using a mouthwash that contains alcohol, to prevent your condition from getting worse. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, you should use alcohol-free mouthwash instead.
By including mouthwash in your dental hygiene routine, you're killing the bad bacteria and getting rid of the good stuff, too. Needless to say, this isn't an ideal solution!
People who use antiseptic mouthwash twice a day or more may have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. One key study, the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study, found that those who used mouthwash more than once a day were significantly more likely to develop hypertension.
Dentists often don't recommend routine mouthwash because it can disrupt beneficial oral bacteria, cause dry mouth (especially alcohol-based types), mask underlying issues like bad breath, and potentially lead to tooth staining or taste changes, with brushing and flossing remaining the core of good oral hygiene, though prescribed rinses can be useful for specific, short-term conditions.
Avoid strongly advocating the use of mouthwashes in patients with good periodontal health or low caries risk, due to the potential risks of allergic reaction and oral microbiome dysbiosis, which may also be associated with compromised systemic health, antimicrobial resistance, and deleterious effects on the environment ...
Common Side Effects
Plus, bacteria that live in the mouth can cause an infection that may spread to the heart, potentially leading to problems. So it's tempting to include harsh mouthwash as part of your oral health routine to get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth, but a cardiologist advises against it.
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.
If possible, look for a mouthwash with antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients. Fluoride is beneficial for oral health and can help prevent tooth decay. If you drink a lot of bottled water without fluoride, we may recommend that you purchase a rinse with fluoride in it.
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit your dentist twice a year, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by establishing consistent habits for plaque removal and professional monitoring.
Nothing can be better than good ol' baking soda and saltwater mouth rinse recipe to keep your mouth clean and your teeth white.
Whilst using mouthwash alone won't lower your gum disease risk, it can play a role in doing so, alongside adequate efficient brushing and flossing. Mouthwash can remove food particles left behind after brushing and flossing, acting as a supplement saliva of sorts!
The answer may surprise you. If you are flossing your teeth every single day and brushing your teeth at least twice a day, then rinsing with mouthwash is not necessary. You can still use it to freshen your breath after a pungent meal, but it is not a necessary component of your oral health.
Chlorhexidine is a medication that comes as an oral rinse. It treats gingivitis. This is a bacterial gum disease. The oral rinse kills or prevents the growth of bacteria in your mouth and reduces inflammation in your gums.
Once you've brushed, don't rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash -- you're washing away the fluoride! This can be a difficult habit to break, but can reduce tooth decay by up to 25%.
Three of our dentists gave Listerine Total Care Zero an alcohol-free thumbs up when it comes to good gum care. “It's a good alcohol-free rinse that helps reduce bacteria and supports tissue healing,” says Dr. Manuele.
If you maintain excellent oral hygiene—brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly—you may not need mouthwash at all. In fact, using the wrong kind of mouthwash can sometimes do more harm than good.
Dentists often don't recommend routine mouthwash because it can disrupt beneficial oral bacteria, cause dry mouth (especially alcohol-based types), mask underlying issues like bad breath, and potentially lead to tooth staining or taste changes, with brushing and flossing remaining the core of good oral hygiene, though prescribed rinses can be useful for specific, short-term conditions.
Three early warning signs of heart failure include persistent fatigue/weakness, shortness of breath (especially with activity or lying down), and swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, and feet, often accompanied by rapid weight gain from fluid buildup, all signaling your heart isn't pumping efficiently enough. Other key indicators are a chronic cough (sometimes with pink mucus) and heart palpitations.
This study found that irrespective of the type of mouthwash used, two or more daily uses of mouthwash resulted in a statistically significant increase in hypertension risk over a three year period³. While no causation has be proven, an association persists.
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs' Acceptance of Listerine Antiseptic is based on its finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in helping to prevent and reduce gingivitis (and plaque above the gumline), when used as directed.
Top 3 Best Mouthwash for Periodontal Disease
Wait Before Eating or Drinking: Don't eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after using mouthwash. This gives the active ingredients time to work without getting washed away. Don't Dilute: Even though it might seem like a good idea to water down mouthwash to make it milder, it can actually make it less effective.