EXCEPT in your oral health care products……
Alcohol is ethanol (or ethyl
alcohol). While it does have some anesthetic and disinfecting properties it
also acts as a desiccant, which means that it removes water.
As you'll read
further down, alcohol can lead to more serious oral health issues and alcohol
mouthwash should be replaced with alcohol free alternatives.
Alcohol can cause several problems such as:
1. BURNING SENSATION IN THE ORAL CAVITY: The "Burn" while we use A MOUTHWASH, we experience is actually a bad thing, especially for chronic bad breath sufferes who use mouthwash many times a day and for people who have been using an alcohol mouthwas for many years.
2. DRY MOUTH: Alcohol by its nature is a desiccant and it
will dry the surfaces it comes in contact with.
Some issues associated
with dry mouth:
- Higher risk of fungal
infections
- Dental problems such as
cavities, gum disease, bad breath
- Poor nutrition
- Poor sleep
- Problem speaking
- Difficulty swallowing tablet- or capsule-type medication
3.CHILDREN AND ALCOHOL: Children, specially should not use alcohol mouthwash.The American Acadmy of Pediatrics reports that as little as 30ounces of a mouthwash containing 5% alcohol can be dangerous to an average 22pounds toddler.
4. DENTAL CONCERNS: Alcohol has a tendency to shrink or negatively impact dental resins. If users of an alcohol mouthwash have a lot of dental work, they may be doing more harm than good.
Bottom line : alcohol
free, clear mouthwash is a safer bet.
ALCOHOL-FREE MOUTHWASHES THAT YOU CAN USE:
(very few of these are available at medical stores due to lack of advertisements and awareness)
- Hexidine: ICPA
- Perio Wash
- Listerine Total Care Zero (This is the only listerine with zero alcohol)
- Corsodyl Alcohol Free Mouthwash
- Reach ACT Anti cavity Fluoride Rinse alcohol free for adults
- Reach ACT Anti-cavity Fluoride Rinses for Kids
- Biotene Antibacterial Alcohol-Free Mouth Wash which is recommended for people with "dry mouth ."
- Smart Mouth Alcohol free Mouth Wash
- Oral B anti plaque Alcohol Free Mouth Wash
Sources: The telegraph news Sydney 2009, cpsmagazine.com, dailymail.co.uk and others
