Now, does alcohol free mouthwash kill bacteria? The answer to this question can be yes or no. I know you are confused but I am going to lead you by the hand as I clarify you.
You can agree with me that there are lots of antibacterial mouthwashes in the market. Now, the question in everyone’s lips currently is this “Does alcohol free mouthwash kill bacteria?”
This is not a question you should be afraid to ask else, you could be wasting your time using the particular mouthwash which is not the best for you.
Most of the alcohol free mouthwash has been listed as amongst the best mouthwash for bad breath.
It’s no longer a common fact that alcohol generally can kill bacteria because it is usually used as a form of disinfectant.
Having stated the above,
You can see, it makes sense that the alcohol in mouthwashes is added specifically to kill the bacteria that give you bad breath.
However, many people use mouthwash out of pattern, but it isn’t needed to maintain a healthy smile. In truth, the urge to use mouthwash can be an indication of a bigger issue.
But a non-alcohol mouthwash for occasional use is the absolute bet when picking to go with an alcohol or alcohol free mouthwash.
Before I move further, down to answer the question, I know you would want to ask the question below
Also Read: How to remove plaque on teeth (best solution)
Why Do Most Types of Mouthwash Contain Alcohol?
Table of Contents
Alcohol generally, is very effective at killing germs and bacteria in your mouth. This greatly decreases plaque buildup caused by bacteria and reduces your chance of getting gingivitis.
Overall, rinsing with alcohol-based mouthwash improves your oral hygiene and freshens your breath.
The major disadvantage of alcohol mouthwash is that, with concentrations up to 30 percent or more, alcohol causes a sharp burning sensation in the mouth.
Some folks actually enjoy this feeling, which creates the feeling that your mouth is getting extra clean. Whereas in reality the burning sensation results from the drying effect of alcohol.
Also Read: Best baby Tongue Cleaner for Bad Breath [A must know]
Secondly, alcohol causes dryness of the mouth which brings about the formation of bacteria that causes bad breath.
Thirdly, there is evidence to suggest that using alcohol mouthwash can increase the risk of oral cancer, a form of cancer, which affects the throat, tongue or soft tissue in the mouth and studies have also shown that using mouthwash can trigger degeneration in recovering alcoholics (alcohol addicts).
Now, some alcohol mouthwash products also contain chlorine compounds, which kill germs but could cause tooth discoloration. Chlorine can also affect your taste buds when used over a long period of time.
Alcohol in your mouthwash does destroy almost all the bacteria in your mouth, but it is both the good and bad bacteria, of which, if you’re using the product every day, means bad breath can gradually build up as a result of the imbalance of bacteria
So, does alcohol free mouthwash kill bacteria?
In doing my internet research about this question “does alcohol free mouthwash kill bacteria”, I learned another big thing in regard to mouthwash.
All the mouthwash products you see and hear about are not all created equal. All indications are pointing to the fact that alcohol-free mouthwash is far superior to its booze-laden counterpart.
Reasons being that…
Alcohol free Mouthwash may help you do away with mouth odour or bad breath, and there have been stories online that they do not actually stop or kill the bacteria causing the bad breadth.
Although, in some mouthwash, a minute quantity of alcohol is used as a preservative but it is very rare to find such product.
Alcohol mouthwash was very popular, especially among people who were prone to bad breath; however, stories in the media and advice from dentists has caused alcohol-free products to become more popular.
Before now, it was thought that mouthwash products that contain alcohol were more effective in killing bacteria and therefore reducing the risk of decay and gum disease than alcohol-free mouthwash, but there are products that do not contain alcohol that are equally effective.
The experts at Oral-B recommend products that contain cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), which has been found to be both effective and safe.
Now, CPC works by binding to the surfaces of the germs and destroying them by causing them to explode, which prevents bacteria from collecting on the teeth and along the gum line.
Also Read: How to prevent bad breath in the morning fast
See our top 5 non alcoholic mouthwash recommendations
Benefits of alcohol free mouthwash
According to exceptionaldentistryca:
“Mouthwash that does not contain alcohol allows the mouth to continue producing saliva, therefore contributing to the cleanliness and freshness of your mouth in the long run. This is a key to good mouthwash.
Looking for a mouthwash with fluoride as an ingredient can assist in keeping your teeth strong and help minimize tooth sensitivity.
Another advantage of alcohol-free mouthwash is that it is safer for your dental fillings and restorations. Studies show that alcohol-free mouthwash is more beneficial for the gloss, color, hardness, and wear of restorations”.
List of Recommended Alcohol-free mouthwash to use
Should You Use Alcohol Free Mouthwash?
According to evansondds, you should use alcohol free mouthwash if:
- You have dry mouth: Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is the result of low saliva flow, which can be caused by medication, radiation treatment, or systemic diseases. Because ethanol has a drying effect, you benefit greatly from using alcohol-free mouthwash instead.
- You have burning mouth syndrome: The burning sensation that alcohol mouthwash creates may exacerbate the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome or other oral irritations.
- You have sensitive gums: If you already use special toothpaste for sensitive gums, be sure to choose gentle, alcohol-free mouthwash as well.
- You have diabetes: This disease can cause dry mouth, gum inflammation, and mouth sensitivity that could make swishing with regular mouthwash a painful experience. Get all the benefits without the burn by switching to alcohol-free rinse.
- You’re pregnant: No known quantity of alcohol is considered safe for an unborn baby, so make sure you use alcohol-free mouthwash while pregnant.
- You share your mouthwash with a child: Alcohol rinses could be dangerous for children who might accidentally swallow some, so alcohol-free mouthwash is best if you plan to let a child use it.
So, what is my advice?
A good of example of how beneficial alcohol free mouthwash is to an alcohol mouthwash is how saliva plays a big part in fresh breath is a baby.
The reason that babies have sweet breath can be attributed to the fact that they are constantly producing saliva, among other things, which keeps their mouths clean and fresh.
The same idea applies to adults, which is why they should use products without alcohol.
PS: You should get a more professional advice from your Dentist or any registered dentist.
Wrapping up…
From my ramblings above, you do not have to be worried if alcohol free mouthwash kills bacteria anymore.
Now, If you want a mouthwash that is effective at reducing your risk of cavities and gum inflammation, you may want to look at a “therapeutic mouthwash” to complement your dental hygiene routine else, stick with alcohol free mouthwash products.
These mouthwashes contain an active ingredient like cetylpyridinium chloride, menthol or fluoride which are far better than alcohol mouthwashes in my opinion. Click here to see our top non-alcoholic mouthwash suggestions.
Have I been able to answer the question “does alcohol free mouthwash kill bacteria?” kindly hit me up in the comment box.
