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What Are the Most Common Mouthwash Side Effects?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

The most common mouthwash side effects include irritation of the oral mucus membranes and a burning feeling in the mouth. The taste of the mouthwash can linger for hours, making food taste metallic, bitter or spicy. To alleviate the burning mouth side effect, more subtle flavors of mouthwash can be used. Sometimes, ingesting large amounts of mouth wash can cause more severe side effects. These include nausea and vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, and dizziness.

Although accidentally swallowing minute amounts of mouthwash is generally not considered serious, deliberately drinking mouthwash can cause serious side effects and may even prove life threatening. The side effects of mouthwash may include loss of consciousness, seizures, and even cardiac arrest because of the high alcohol content present in certain mouthwashes. These side effects are similar to those experienced when drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages.

Mouthwash usually contains alcohol.
Mouthwash usually contains alcohol.

One of the most troubling mouthwash side effects is its potential to increase the risk of pharyngeal cancer and oral cancer. This, again, is due to the high alcohol content of certain mouthwashes. Although more proof may be needed to establish a definite link, it may be prudent to use a non-alcoholic mouthwash. Other mouthwash side effects include irritation and sloughing of oral tissues, which is uncomfortable and can set the stage for an oral infection or even gum disease.

Frequent gargling with an alcohol-based mouthwash may irritate the throat, rather than soothe it.
Frequent gargling with an alcohol-based mouthwash may irritate the throat, rather than soothe it.

Benefits of mouthwash include its ability to reduce oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease and tooth infections. Mouthwash can also help eliminate plaque and bad breath. People who use mouthwash or rinses that contain fluoride may be less at risk for developing cavities. Certain mouthwashes also may be able to to soothe a sore throat. Gargling with mouthwash may help relieve a sore throat caused by an infection, however, gargling too frequently with an alcohol-based mouthwash may contribute to the soreness.

Some types of mouthwash can help eliminate plaque and bad breath.
Some types of mouthwash can help eliminate plaque and bad breath.

A dental professional should be consulted when mouthwash side effects occur. He can evaluate oral tissue damage and discuss oral hygiene using non-alcoholic mouthwashes. Some dental professionals, however, do not recommended the use of mouthwash at all, instead recommending a good oral hygiene program that includes brushing the teeth at least twice a day and flossing between meals.

Discussion Comments

anon1000364

About 1 month after starting to use Listerine Total Care I started having serious episodes of dizziness, disorientation, confusion. In the worst episode I was hallucinating before collapsing in a shopping center.

After lots of experimentation to try to discover the cause, I finally made a positive association between these episodes and using the mouthwash. I made several more trials of not using mouthwash for several days (without incident) then using the mouthwash one time and experiencing a dizziness episode.

At this time there is no longer any doubt that the mouthwash is the cause and I dumped what was left of it.

anon950085

Chronic severe alcoholics suffer from cognitive impairment. People say that it's up to a person with drinking problems to make the decision, but at this stage intervention is required.

Markerrag

Who on earth goes around drinking mouthwash? Yes, Listerine is about 27 percent alcohol (the original formula is, at least) and one could get pretty sloshed guzzling the stuff, but how many people could actually suck down enough Listerine -- or keep it down -- to get the least bit buzzed off of it? Someone would have to have a strong stomach for that.

There have been reports of Listerine abuse, but how credible are they? If they are true, one has to wonder why anyone of legal drinking age would subject themselves to the pain that comes with guzzling a bottle of Listerine.

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    • Mouthwash usually contains alcohol.
      By: design56
      Mouthwash usually contains alcohol.
    • Frequent gargling with an alcohol-based mouthwash may irritate the throat, rather than soothe it.
      By: JackF
      Frequent gargling with an alcohol-based mouthwash may irritate the throat, rather than soothe it.
    • Some types of mouthwash can help eliminate plaque and bad breath.
      By: stefanolunardi
      Some types of mouthwash can help eliminate plaque and bad breath.
    • Mouthwash may be used to soothe a sore throat.
      By: Lsantilli
      Mouthwash may be used to soothe a sore throat.
    • Mouth washes with a high alcohol content may increase the risk of developing oral cancer.
      By: Melpomene
      Mouth washes with a high alcohol content may increase the risk of developing oral cancer.
    • Ingesting large amounts of mouthwash can cause dizziness.
      By: SEPULTURA_FROM_HELL
      Ingesting large amounts of mouthwash can cause dizziness.
    • The fluoride found in many oral hygiene products can be toxic if swallowed in large enough doses.
      By: CandyBox Images
      The fluoride found in many oral hygiene products can be toxic if swallowed in large enough doses.
    • A potential link between mouthwash and cancer is that mouthwash can cause erosion in teeth and gums, which allows the cleaning agents in the mouthwash as well as other cancer-causing agents, such as cigarette smoke, to be absorbed more easily.
      By: Nomad_Soul
      A potential link between mouthwash and cancer is that mouthwash can cause erosion in teeth and gums, which allows the cleaning agents in the mouthwash as well as other cancer-causing agents, such as cigarette smoke, to be absorbed more easily.
    • Mouthwash can be used to reduce oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease, tooth infections and tooth loss.
      By: Igor Gromoff
      Mouthwash can be used to reduce oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease, tooth infections and tooth loss.
    • Mouthwash side effects may include nausea.
      By: Gabriel Blaj
      Mouthwash side effects may include nausea.
    • Ingesting large quantities of mouthwash may cause diarrhea.
      By: theartofphoto
      Ingesting large quantities of mouthwash may cause diarrhea.
    • Gargling too frequently with an alcohol-based mouthwash may negatively impact a sore throat.
      By: JackF
      Gargling too frequently with an alcohol-based mouthwash may negatively impact a sore throat.