Mouthwash sometimes referred to as oral rinse, is a liquid-based dental hygiene treatment that kills bacteria on your tongue and in between your teeth while also cleaning your mouth and freshening your breath.
The majority of mouthwashes promote the tingling feeling as evidence that their product is effective. However, for many people, using mouthwash is painful and burning rather than refreshing.
Even when using oral rinse solutions as recommended, you may experience uncomfortable stinging and burning while they are in your mouth. Most of the time, this doesn’t indicate that you did something incorrectly or even that you should quit using it. We’ll discuss the many causes of mouthwash burning as well as possible solutions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅Mouthwash frequently contains ingredients like menthol and alcohol, which give off a burning sensation.
✅As you use mouthwash to rinse your mouth, it’s not unusual for it to burn.
✅ There are several types of mouthwash available that you may not burn as much
✅Try to use a mouthwash bearing the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
Here are two different kinds of mouthwash:
Cosmetic mouthwash
Cosmetic mouthwashes and mouth rinses may reduce bad breath and leave a pleasant flavor behind, but other than this brief benefit, they have no chemical or biological purpose. They do assist in removing food particles lodged in the teeth, lowering the risk of tooth decay. However, a product’s benefit is only regarded as cosmetic if it doesn’t eradicate the bacteria responsible for foul breath.
Therapeutic mouthwash
Depending on the formulation, therapeutic mouthwashes or rinses are sold over the counter and by prescription. These can assist in lowering or controlling plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, and tooth decay. Depending on their area of interest, they may be referred to as antiseptic, anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis, or anti-cavity.
The majority of anti-plaque and anti-cavity mouthwashes can typically be acquired without a prescription, although some fluoride products with prescription strength, anti-cavity rinses, and antibacterial treatments like chlorhexidine do.
Why does mouthwash with alcohol burn?
Many mouth rinse solutions contain alcohol as a key ingredient because of its antibacterial qualities. It sanitizes your mouth and eliminates microorganisms. However, pure alcohol is insufficient to eliminate all the harmful germs that can result in gingivitis and bad breath.
Chlorhexidine, which may help treat gingivitis and decrease plaque, and cetylpyridinium chloride, which eliminates germs that cause bad breath, are two common mouthwash ingredients. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified an uncommon but serious allergy to chlorhexidine that some people may experience.
One of the active components of mouthwash is alcohol. Menthol can be one of the others. Some mouthwash recipes have an alcohol content of more than 25%.
You could notice that the burning sensation is concentrated on your tongue when you use an oral rinse. Your tongue’s taste buds may be more sensitive to the flavor and texture of alcohol than other parts of your mouth.
Identify one or more of these offenders:
Menthol
Mouthwash, gum, and toothpaste all contain menthol, which is typically obtained as an oil from peppermint. This gives it a powerful, minty flavor and a tingly, icy sensation in your mouth. The most irritating rinses are those with a lot of menthol in them. Because it is antibacterial and prevents the growth of bacteria, menthol is utilized in dental products.
Alcohol
Commercial rinses frequently contain alcohol. Although mouthwash contains a little amount of alcohol, this is not enough to destroy bacteria. Instead, it serves as a carrier for the other elements. Additionally, it can help to dry out the mouth. The alcohol alone does not cause a burning feeling.
Some mouthwashes have an alcohol content that ranges from 18 to 26 percent. The cheeks, teeth, and gums may feel as though they are on fire as a result. Consistent mouthwash use can also cause burning since it irritates the mouth’s tissues and can result in ulcers.
Advantages of mouthwash
You should include mouthwash in your daily regimen on a regular basis for a number of reasons. If you’re attempting to target a particular component of your oral hygiene, it can be good to consider the benefits that various varieties of mouthwash offer.
Your teeth can get whiter with mouthwash. Many tooth-whitening formulas use bleaching or whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide. Alternative ingredients like coconut oil or activated charcoal may be present in some recipes.
Your tooth enamel can be strengthened with mouthwash. Fluoride is commonly used in oral rinses that are designed to protect your teeth from cavities. Gum disease can be fought using mouthwash. Essential oils like menthol, eucalyptol, or thymol are frequently found in mouthwashes designed to combat the bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis.
Bad breath can be eliminated using mouthwash. The bacteria that cause halitosis are eliminated by anti-bad-breath formulations. Although most oral rinses of this type contain alcohol, there are other options.
Additionally, there are formulae for therapeutic mouthwashes that can only be obtained with a prescription. Sometimes, doctors will recommend chlorhexidine mouthwash to treat the signs and symptoms of gingivitis.
Different mouthwashes may be administered to treat oral mucositis as a side effect of cancer treatment, clean a dry socket following a tooth extraction, or increase salivation if you have been diagnosed with dry mouth.
Mouthwash safety measures
Only when mouthwash is used carefully and in accordance with the instructions on the packaging is it useful.
Mouthwash is intended to rinse your mouth, not to be consumed, thus you should never consume it. Call a doctor or the 800-222-1222 poison control hotline if you use more mouthwash than two servings at once.
Check your mouthwash’s label to check if it contains ethanol or fluoride, and have that information available to provide to the individual taking the call. Stop using mouthwash if it continues to burn or make you uncomfortable.
If you use a mouthwash too which you are particularly sensitive to, some of the tissue in your mouth may break down, leading to ulcers. Mouthwash shouldn’t be used on children under the age of six.
Children between the ages of 6 and 12 may use a mouthwash designed just for them, but they must be under adult supervision.
In conclusion
As you use mouthwash to rinse your mouth, it’s not unusual for it to burn. Mouthwash frequently contains ingredients like menthol and alcohol, which give off a burning sensation. Even while it’s typically nothing to worry about, if using your mouthwash hurts, there are several other types of mouthwash that you may buy.
Always carefully follow the directions on your mouthwash, and if you’re having trouble finding one that works for you, ask your dentist for a mouthwash recommendation. A mouthwash bearing the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance is something else you ought to seek for.