Why Alcohol Free mouthwash is better than the regular stuff

Dentists often suggest their patients use mouthwash as a part of their daily oral hygiene routine.

While natural mouthwash can be a helpful addition to your oral hygiene routine, it isn't strictly necessary for everyone to maintain a healthy smile. Understanding the benefits and limitations of mouthwash can help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of Mouthwash

• Kills Bacteria: Mouthwash can reduce bacteria in the mouth, decreasing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Freshens Breath: It effectively freshens breath, making it a popular choice for those conscious about oral odor.
• Reinforces Other Practices: When used in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing, it can enhance overall oral health.

Considerations

• Underlying Issues: Relying heavily on mouthwash to cover bad breath could signal an underlying dental problem. Persistent bad breath is best addressed by consulting a dental professional.
• Not a Substitute: Mouthwash should not replace brushing and flossing but rather complement these essential practices.

Both types (alcohol and alcohol free) have certain benefits and drawbacks. Knowing about them can help you make the best decision for you.

Underneath your tongue is the most vascular area of your whole body so it’s important to be an informed consumer when it comes to the ingredients in your mouthwash.

Is Alcohol Free Better than Alcohol Based Mouthwash?

While your teeth and gums are important factors that determine which type of mouthwash is better for you, they’re not the only ones. Your needs and oral health change over time, so my recommendation would be to determine what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to use a mouthwash strictly to freshen your breath? Are you dealing with chronic decay or gum disease and are looking for a more medicinal product?

Mouthwash with Alcohol

• Benefits: Offers antiseptic properties and provides immediate freshness.
• Drawbacks: Can lead to dry mouth, irritation, and potential damage to dental work.

Mouthwash without Alcohol

• Benefits: Preserves saliva production, gentler on the mouth, protects dental restorations, and often includes beneficial ingredients like fluoride.

For many people, simply using an alcohol-based mouthwash could lead to worse conditions. People with xerostomia, Sjogren’s or burning mouth syndrome, diabetes & sensitive gums, breastfeeding or expecting mothers, and children should avoid alcohol-based mouthwash and rather medicate using some form of Organic Mouthwash.

For the vast majority, alcohol-free mouthwash is the best choice. It supports long-term oral health without the drawbacks associated with alcohol-based products and aligns with a broader range of oral health goals.

Alcohol Based Mouthwash

Most off-the-shelf mouthwashes we come across contain alcohol or ethanol. You might ask why? Let’s just say it’s been an old-fashioned remedy since the 18th century due to alcohol being the prime ingredient in managing oral bacteria. By the late 1800s, Listerine was the go-to mouthwash for everyone in America and continues to be the number dentist recommended mouthwash. Thank God we don’t live in Ancient Roman times when they used urine as a mouthwash! Times, technology and understanding the oral microbiome are forever changing. People are wanting more natural alternatives to the chemical laden ingredients that are offered today in our oral care products.

Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Ethanol kills oral germs & bacteria, helping prevent bacterial plaque from developing. This greatly reduces the chances of getting gingivitis and other gum diseases.

2. Mouthwashes contain essential oils like menthol, thymol and eucalyptol that help treat your teeth. Alcohol helps dissolve these oils in your mouth.

3. Refreshes your breath (temporarily). 

4. Mouthwash in general can help remove food particles from between teeth due to the swishing motion.

Cons

1. Ethanol kills both good and bad bacteria in your mouth, disrupting the balance of bacteria and alcohol is linked to both Throat and Oral Cancer according to several studies.

2. May cause a burning sensation. 

3. Leaves you with dry mouth (Xerostomia) and can actually make breath worse. 

4. Alcohol based mouthwashes come with chlorine compounds such as CPC (Cetylpyridinium chloride). Chlorine, being a highly acidic salt, not only kills germs in your mouth, but also causes teeth stains. Long term usage may affect your taste buds. 

5. It changes the pH of your mouth. The average pH of Listerine is 4.2-5 and if your saliva drops below a 5.5 that’s an open door for tooth decay to develop.

Alcohol Free Mouthwash

As more and more people place an importance in taking up a natural, organic lifestyle and habits, the use of alcohol free mouthwash has become more popular across the world. With growing demand, dental hygiene experts have designed a huge array of alcohol free, natural oil based mouthwashes that help you accomplish all you did with the old alcohol versions and much more, in a healthier, more sustainable manner.

In fact, Johnson and Johnson came out with an alcohol-free version of Listerine because of an Australian study conducted in 2008, but even the alcohol free version has many questionable ingredients.

Despite alcohol-free mouthwashes being more gentle, the commercial versions still have ingredients that can disrupt your endocrine system (such as Poloxamer 407), or contain chemicals such as propylene glycol; which is still a liquid alcohol based solvent found in antifreeze, food, plastics and perfumes.

"The natural-based alcohol-free mouthwashes usually contain water, aloe, essential oils, or colloidal silver to help nurture your gums and keep them healthy. In addition to these nurturing elements, many alcohol-free formulations often include fluoride. This powerful mineral strengthens enamel and reduces tooth sensitivity, offering a dual benefit for oral care.

What Effective Ingredients are Commonly found in Alcohol-free Mouthwash?

Fluoride's role is crucial, as it not only fortifies your teeth against everyday wear but also provides effective protection against cavities. These mouthwashes work synergistically to promote overall oral health, making them an excellent choice for those seeking comprehensive care without the harshness of alcohol.

When choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash, look for products that combine these natural and effective ingredients to ensure you're getting the maximum benefit for your dental hygiene routine."

Alcohol free mouthwashes can be rather gentle yet effective, and can be used regularly, to serve long term purposes.

Essential oils existent in the mouthwash can help nurture your gums and keep them healthy as well.

Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Alcohol Free Mouthwash doesn’t contain Ethanol.

2. Alcohol free mouthwash doesn’t cause dry mouth or bad taste.

4. People who have problems with alcohol abuse don’t get triggered by the taste of alcohol.

5. Helps you maintain the natural color, hardness and gloss of your teeth.

6. Helps maintain the natural balance of saliva in your mouth.

7. Helps prevent oral cancer.

7. Side-effects….none that I’m aware of but that would depend on what version of “natural” you’re going by.  Always, read the ingredients even on “so-called” natural products.

Cons

Research suggests that non-alcoholic mouthwashes are highly efficient as well as healthy, while having significantly less side effects. There’s really no real drawbacks when it comes to using natural products.

But remember, despite being a  healthy alternative, alcohol-free mouthwashes shouldn’t outright replace your daily brushing and flossing routine.

How Does Alcohol-Free Mouthwash Impact Dental Restorations?

When it comes to taking care of dental restorations like fillings or crowns, the type of mouthwash you choose can make a significant difference. Opting for an alcohol-free mouthwash provides distinct benefits that help maintain the longevity and appearance of these restorations.

1. Preserves Gloss and Color

• Alcohol-free formulations are gentle on dental work, helping to maintain the original gloss and vibrant color of restorations.
• This means your fillings and crowns will stay looking their best without the dulling effects that alcohol might cause.

2. Safeguards Durability

• These mouthwashes are less likely to weaken the material bonds within the restorations, protecting their structural integrity over time.
• They contribute to the overall longevity of your dental work, making them a reliable partner in your oral care routine.

3. Reduces Risk of Dry Mouth

• Alcohol can cause dry mouth, which may lead to complications like plaque buildup that can threaten restorations.
• By choosing an alcohol-free option, you support a healthier oral environment, crucial for the upkeep of dental work.

Using an alcohol-free mouthwash is an excellent way to ensure that your dental restorations remain in top condition, from appearance to strength. This choice supports your broader dental care efforts and helps you maintain a bright, healthy smile.

What Do Expert Opinions Say About Mouthwash Choices?

Experts in dental health have weighed in on the pros and cons of mouthwash options, shedding light on their preferences. While mouthwashes that contain alcohol can contribute to reducing plaque to some extent, they might also impair saliva production and harm soft tissues in the mouth. This raises some concerns among dental professionals.

Consequently, many specialists recommend opting for alcohol-free mouthwash like our Spearmint flavor with Nano Hydroxyapatite formula. This alternative is often viewed as a safer bet for preserving oral health, as it tends to have fewer adverse effects.

Experts unanimously agree, however, that mouthwash is not a standalone solution. The cornerstone of effective oral care remains consistent brushing and flossing. For an optimal oral hygiene routine, it’s suggested to pair an advanced electric toothbrush with a quality fluoride toothpaste for comprehensive protection of teeth and gums.

By following this expert advice, you can ensure a balanced approach to maintaining your oral health.

Use Mouthwash Before or After Brushing?

Always use a mouthwash after you brush and floss. This allows it to act as the perfect antimicrobial agent, taking care of any unattended or loose bacteria that is remaining in your mouth.  The most important times to brush your teeth are first thing when you wake up in the morning (to remove all of the “tooth poop” causing bad breath), and at night before you go to bed. 

Also, you do want to wait 30 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth.  If you wake up and brush your teeth right away but don’t have the 30 minutes to wait after eating, at least rinse your mouth out with a clean and green mouthwash to help reduce acids and freshen breath. 

Endnote

Based on our findings and closely comparing the differences between alcohol and alcohol free mouthwash , we definitely suggest that you go natural. It’s time to make the healthier choice and go organic! It’s time for us to move on from harmful chemical and toxins and choose better products for healthy living.  Ditch the toxins and remember…Simply Silver…simply smile!

*Silver is naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal.  It is safe to use with mercury (silver) fillings as well, unlike a hydrogen peroxide base that leaches mercury into your system.