Health

Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

by Gregory

Mouthwash is a liquid that you hold in your mouth to clean it. It is sometimes referred to as oral rinse or mouth rinse. Frequent muscle contractions ensure that the fluid is evenly spread in the mouth.

You can also gargle it or tilt your head. Mouthwashes do not replace the oral hygiene of brushing your teeth at least twice a day. The main purpose of using the mouth rinse is to freshen your breath.

This is especially the case if you suffer from chronic bad breath. A mouthwash or a mouth rinse is used for oral care routine. It has many benefits and is recommended by many dentists.

Dentists prescribe a specific mouth wash or oral rinse. This is dependent on your ailment. If you are suffering from a fungal infection, they will specify a specific mouth wash. This would be different if you suffered from a bout of gum problems.

For example, fluoride is an essential mineral in mouthwash. It protects the teeth against acids. Plaque bacteria bring about these acids. You also have to brush your teeth regularly and also floss.

Table Of Contents
How Does Mouthwash Work?
Benefits of Using Mouthwash
Why Does Mouthwash Burn?
Do All Mouthwashes Burn?
Bottom Line

When using your mouthwash, there are a few points to keep in mind:

  • You should dilute your mouth rinse if possible. Going through the label of your mouthwash is very crucial. They have different concentrations, and some recommend diluting them with water. If the label does not tell you to dilute, you should not. You may not get the full benefit of the mouth rinse if the germs are diluted.
  • Mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing teeth. You should maintain your hygiene and brush your teeth at least twice a day. This should be accompanied by daily flossing. Even if your dentist recommends the oral rinse, you should maintain your daily routine.

There are important steps to follow when using oral rinses:

  • Only use the right amount. Follow the instructions on the label or from your dentist.
  • You should keep the mouth rinse in your mouth for as long as indicated. It would help if you also swished your mouth.
  • Don’t swallow the mouthwash. Some of the oral rinses contain ingredients that may have adverse effects on your body. Children should use the mouth rinse under the supervision of an adult.
  • You should be patient with the mouthwash. Avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes after using the mouth rinse.
Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

How Does Mouthwash Work?

Mouthwashes vary depending on the purpose. Some provide an anti-cavity enjoy fluoride while others freshen your breath. Some even have germ-killing ingredients. This prevents plaque build-up on your teeth.

The most important thing is choosing the correct mouthwash for you. You have a variety of options, and you should choose a rinse that meets your needs. These are some of the points that you should keep in mind:

The alcohol content in the alcohol. The alcohol content is crucial as you can accidentally swallow your mouth rinse. You might have a family with school-aged children or teenagers. This might incline you to buy alcohol-free mouthwash. Some of the recovering alcoholics avoid using mouthwash products.

Many people have sensitive gums. If you have a sensitive mouth, an alcohol-free or natural oral rinse is best for you. They contain ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile. This has a soothing effect on your mouth. You might also find the ingredients in the mouthwash to be irritating.

When buying a mouthwash, you may be critical of the anti-plaque ingredients. They not only cater for bad breath but also prevent plaque build-up. If you e not sure about your oral rinse, it is advisable to seek help from a dentist about your daily oral care.

Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

Incorporating oral rises in your daily routine is beneficial. They come with a lot of benefits. Here are some of the benefits you can get:

  • Mouthwashes whiten your teeth. They contain hydrogen peroxide, which has a bleaching effect. An alternative to hydrogen peroxide can be coconut oil or activated charcoal.
  • Oral rinses can strengthen your tooth. They make them less prone to cavities. Fluoride ingredient is crucial in this.
  • Some of the mouth rinses are formulated to fight bacteria. These bacteria cause plaques and gingivitis. They contain thymol and some of the essential oils.
  • Oral rinses also get rid of bad breath. They contain formulas that banish the bad odor. Most of these mouth rinses are alcohol-based, but you can find alternatives.
Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

Alcohol comprises antiseptic properties. It is the main ingredient in many types of mouthwash. It kills all the bacteria in your mouth and also sanitizes it.

Using pure alcohol alone does not kill all the bacteria in the mouth. Some of the mouthwashes contain up to 25% of alcohol content. Alcohol is one of the most active ingredients. Oral rinses comprise of other ingredients.

The other include methanol. You might be sensitive to methanol. Methanol is derived from mint or peppermint. You might feel the burning sensation instead of a tingling effect.

While using the mouth rinse, you might experience some burning sensation. This may be severe on your tongue. Your taste buds are more sensitive to the taste of alcohol.

There might be other reasons for the burning sensation. If you're using an alcohol-free mouthwash, you might be sensitive to one of the active ingredients,

Different oral rinses do serve different purposes. There are well-known mouthwashes that help fight gingivitis and prevent bad breath. People tend to develop allergies from these mouth rinses. They can vary from mild to severe, depending on the frequency of use.

You might also feel the burns if you suffer from stomach ulcers. The pain worsens if your oral rinse contains alcohol or methanol.

The methanol irritates the wounds, and the alcohol dries up the healing process. The alcohol content is at times low and does not have a medicinal effect. You might as well opt for an alcohol-free mouth rinse.

There are also certain mouth rinses intended to whiten your teeth. They may contain essential oils such as eucalyptus oil and thyme oil. Another important ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. All these ingredients might cause the mouthwash to have a burning sensation when using them.

Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

Do All Mouthwashes Burn?

Not all oral rinses have a burning effect. It depends on the ingredient's content and the person using the mouth rinse.

Your level of sensitivity dictates the best oral rinse for you. Alcohol is not a must-use ingredient in mouth rinses. There are alcohol-free mouthwashes. They are effective in killing bacteria and freshening your breath.

They are gentle on your tongue and do not affect your gums. Methanol-free oral rinses are also effective, and they serve the same purpose. You might also opt for mint-free or flavorless mouthwashes.

It's not common for oral rinses to burn when using them. Most of the time, the sensation is brought about by methanol and alcohol.

Bottom Line

Nowadays, there are plenty of alternatives you can resort to. They are alcohol-free and methanol-free. Creating a consistent brushing and flossing routine can do wonders for your health.

It is also essential to follow the instructions. These instructions might be from your dentist or on the label of the mouthwash. This will reduce the chances of ever experiencing the burning sensations.