Mouthwash should be used twice in a 24-hour period. However, a gentle mouthwash can be used after daytime meals. To reach all the germs hiding in the nooks and crannies of the mouth, a mouth rinse should be swished and gurgled for at least 45 seconds. Sometimes, it is tempting to rinse the mouthwash out with water.
A study of 4,000 people conducted by the University of Glasgow in Scotland found that people who used antibacterial mouthwash more than three times a day had an increased risk of developing mouth and throat cancers.
Rinsing with LISTERINE® is simple:
Use LISTERINE® daily mouthwash twice a day after brushing your teeth. Use 20 ml of the solution; this is equal to 3/4 of a capful. Gargle for 30 seconds, and then spit out.
Mouthwash is generally meant to be swished around in the mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Make sure you follow the directions on your specific bottle. Swishing for less than 30 seconds isn't usually enough time for the mouthwash to be effective while swishing for longer than a minute won't give you any additional benefits.
How Often Should You Use Mouthwash? Most dentists recommend that you use mouthwash after every brushing. Using it more than twice a day can be harmful, so use of this product should be limited. Dentists also advise that you refrain from swallowing mouthwash.
While it can depend on the specific mouthwash you use and the advice of your dentist, most mouthwashes should be used no more than twice a day. Make sure to read the label and follow the instructions.
Most Listerine products, a popular antiseptic mouthwash brand, cause a burning sensation. Listerine contains menthol, eucalyptol, thymol, methyl salicylate and alcohol. The first four ingredients are essential oils. It is the alcohol and the essential oils in the products that cause the burn.
Mouthwash should be used twice in a 24-hour period. However, a gentle mouthwash can be used after daytime meals. To reach all the germs hiding in the nooks and crannies of the mouth, a mouth rinse should be swished and gurgled for at least 45 seconds.
Since the risk of swallowing any liquid is great with gargling, salt water is the most safe and effective solution you can use.
It is not recommended to rinse your mouth with water after you have just used mouthwash. This is because many mouthwashes contain ingredients such as fluoride that need time to start working. If you rinse your mouth out straight after, the fluoride will also be washed away during the rinsing.
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.
The study cautions against the “indiscriminate routine use” of antibacterial mouthwash, with the highest risk among people who use it twice or more daily.
Too antibacterial
These ingredients may also stain teeth or cause other unwanted side effects. Other general side effects of using too much mouth wash too often can include: mouth sores. inflamed tissues.
It may cause dry mouth. Regular or excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out your mouth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even cavities.
Mouthwash can be used every day if instructed by your dentist. However, make sure to also follow the instructions on your specific product, including how often to use it and how much to use.
Conclusions: The level of interproximal gingivitis control efficacy provided by the Listerine and Chlorhexidine was “at least as good as” that provided by the dental floss. Hence, they can be recommended for the patients with gingivitis as an adjunctive to the usual home care routine.
Since you keep eating throughout the day, night time is the best time for the antibacterial properties in the mouthwash to kill the bad bacteria. This gives enough time for the mouthwash to act as there is no eating activity through out the night.
Short answer: It doesn't matter. However, if you are using a fluoride toothpaste, wait at least 30 minutes before you rinse (yes, even a fluoride one) as it'll wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste before it can do its job. If you do use a fluoride mouthwash, wait 30 minutes before you eat or drink.
Use a mouth rinse before bed
For an added boost to oral health, consider using a mouthwash or rinse before bed. A rinse will help to remove bacteria from your mouth and can effectively help prevent cavities.
Although you can use mouthwash whenever you need to freshen your breath, the best time to use mouthwash is right after you eat. The sugars in the food and drinks you consume make your mouth more acidic. If you brush your teeth immediately after eating, you brush acid into your teeth, causing tooth erosion.
"Basically what happens is the product is killing bacteria that causes bad breath and in some individuals that bacteria as it's killed it can also turn brown and then stick to the teeth,” P&G spokesperson Victoria Maybee told CTV's Lynda Steele in a telephone interview.
Believe it or not, mouthwash doesn't have to burn your mouth to be effective. In fact, if a mouthwash does burn, it might be time to replace it in your oral health repertoire.
When it comes to oral rinses, a little bit goes a very long way. Many mouthwash bottles have a measuring line on the cap. But for the best results, you should only use about 20 ml of oral rinse, which measures out to about 4 teaspoons.
People who used mouthwash ≥ twice/daily showed higher incidence of physician-diagnosed hypertension (IRR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.17–2.94) compared to less frequent users, and compared to non-users (IRR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.27–3.71).