Is mouthwash supposed to burn your mouth?

Ah, mouthwash – the minty saviour of a fresh breath. But hold on, let’s address the elephant in the bathroom: why does it burn your mouth? To answer this question fully and completely, we need to dive into some not-so-common terminology and explore what happens when gargling that seemingly innocent liquid.

What is Mouthwash?

To start off with, a little background information on our mouth rinse friend. According to good old Merriam-Webster dictionary (a personal favourite), mouthwash consists of an antiseptic solution used for ‘gargling or rinsing the mouth’. We’ve all heard of Listerine – its infamous taste guaranteed to wake you up from even the deepest slumber. So how does it work its magic? Let’s take a closer look.

The Ingredients

Most commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol as their active ingredient (typically ethanol or methanol). This substance plays a vital role in anti-bacterial action by breaking down cell membranes and proteins found in unwanted bacteria (fun fact: also commonly used as fuel for cars!) Other ingredients that may contribute to burning sensations include menthol and eucalyptol. These natural components produce cooling effects but can be irritating if concentration levels are high.

But wait! There’s one more addition that could give us some insight into why your gums feel like they’re on fire:

pH Levels

pH stands for “power of hydrogen” (okay..maybe not so uncommon), which measures acidity/alkalinity levels via a scale ranging between 0-14 (7 being neutral). Anything equal/below 7 is classified as acidic while anything above is alkaline-based.

Now here comes something interesting: most dentists recommend using products with low acid concentrations since higher ones cause enamel erosion over time resulting in teeth sensitivity or even decay. So how does that translate to mouthwash? The average pH level in saliva is around 7, which is neutral (think of it as the Goldilocks zone). Mouthwashes range from a pH level of 4-8 depending on their formulation (science alert!).

Products with higher acidity levels may feel more irritating or burning since it disrupts the ideal balance inside your mouth off its natural state. On the other hand, alkaline-based rinses have been shown to cause dryness and inflammation if used for extended periods (check mate).

Prepping Before Gargling

So you’ve chosen your mouthwash – now what? It’s time to prep yourself before applying anything inside there:

  1. Brush teeth and tongue completely
  2. Floss where necessary (for any pesky food remnants)
  3. Swirl some water around inside your mouth; this helps facilitate even distribution during gargling.
  4. Use a small amount (~20ml) each time.

Now that we’re all set let’s talk about what happens after we hit ‘go’.

What Happens When You Gargle?

The main purpose of staggering into bed at night swishing colourful liquids isn’t just to freshen up: it acts as an additional defence(safeguarding those pearly whites) against plaque and gingivitis (another term for gum disease).

When we start gargling(making sure not to swallow any!), the antiseptic components begin working its way through every nook & cranny covering hard-to-reach areas while killing bacteria along with any accompanying odours🤢 – hence why sometimes initially discomfort due tooth sensitivity can arise; nevertheless, this should pass after several uses(patience pays off).

Remember earlier when discussing menthol+eucalyptol causing cooling sensations? Well turns out they activate cold receptors throughout tongue/mouth cavity conjuring up that refreshing feeling we all know&love.

But Why Does Mouthwash Burn?

Whoa…did someone turn on the heat with a plasma cutter inside your mouth? Don’t worry you’re not alone in that feeling. There are several reasons why mouthwash may cause discomfort, let’s check them out.

You may be using too much

In life, balance is everything (even when gargling). Using more than 20ml(standard size) can provoke some pretty painful sensations and possibly do more harm than good by killing your good bacteria along with it(ouch)..

Ginormous Cups: A No-No

Another thing to watch out for is time – make sure you don’t rinse for longer than instructed; typically thirty seconds or so (hellooo stopwatch!). Longer exposure times won’t enhance its effects but instead render our fragile oral membranes like grilled cheese sandwiches 🧀🔥.

Alcohol Content

Ah yes, everyone’s favourite ingredient found across different alcoholic beverage types(can anyone say tequila shots heyoooo!)When consumed without moderation or topical application(such as rinsing), alcohol irritates tissue within mucous lining constantly generating excessive secretion leading to increased inflammation & dryness (inflammation&burning buddy cop show coming soon).

Although small amounts specified within formulation can promote bacterial eradication; larger quantities have shown side-effects such as contact dermatitis around lips and cheek areas(yikes!) It seems like in this case ‘less’ definitely equals ‘more.’

Conclusion: Do You Really Need it?

So there you have it folks- knowledge bombs galore about the burning world of mouthwash! The next time someone raises their hand asking if stomach ulcers stem from spicy food consumption just remember these handy little tips:

  1. Always use minimal amount.
  2. Monitor duration.
  3. Check alcohol content beforehand.
  4. Don’t forget saliva contains enzymes that counteract harmful bacteria as well.
  5. Use in moderation, and last but not least (drumroll please): be patient!(Rome wasn’t built in a oral day after all).

At the end of the day (though please, brushing twice nightly is probably best..)`you can decide whether using mouthwash fits comfortably into your dental routine or opt for natural remedies (such as oil pulling) since there’s no evidence they prevent cavities altogether(as always attaining good health via lifestyle habits i.e regular check-ups along with consistent exercise/diet go miles further than quick fixes🦷)

Happy gargling folks! 🚰💁‍♀️

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