Important New Facts about Mouth Wash

It has always been understood that Oral Rinses (mouth washes) will give your mouth a clean, fresh feeling with great, minty breath. Now there’s new data that shines new light on potential dangers when certain oral rinses are used on a regular basis.
The key ingredient that is the greatest concern is alcohol.
Recent studies have shown sufficient evidence that the use of oral rinse with a high content of alcohol can increase the risk of developing oral cancer, and the Dental Profession is being advised to warn their patients about the oral rinse products on the market whose ingredients include alcohol.
The surface of the mouth is very absorbent.
Understanding the anatomy of the mouth can help to better understand the dangers when alcohol is exposed to the mouth. Our gums, teeth and tongue are coated with saliva and mucus. This coating protects us from a range of bacteria and germs. Without this protection, we run the risk of diseases including dysplasia (pre cancerous cell growth) and cancer. Just 15% alcohol can permeate the protective coating on the tongue and this exposure when long term can lead to tissue damage and precancerous basal cells.
Our mouths are constantly exposed to germs and bacteria from the foods we eat, from the smoke and air we inhale as well as the incidental microscopic organisms we inadvertently put in our mouths with our own hands. It is critical that we retain the moisture our mouths require to fend off the diseases we could encounter. We should therefore limit the alcohol from our diet and eliminate it altogether from our mouth washes. It is our first defense in good oral and overall health.
Drinking alcohol.
It is also important to note that oral cancer along with throat and neck cancers are found amongst heavy drinkers and most especially amongst drinkers who smoke. Like alcoholic rinses, heavy drinking will break down the natural protective barrier weaken your natural shield and will expose your mouth to unhealthy pathogens.
Healthy Oral Rinses.
Be diligent when purchasing mouth washes. Check the ingredients and be sure to avoid any rinses with alcohol. Our first defense to good health is information.
Here’s a list of the oral rinses on the market today and their alcohol content:
Listerine Antiseptic: 26%
Listerine Teeth Defence: 22%
Listerine Cool Mint 22%
ListerineTarter Control 22%
Listerine Citric Fresh 22%
Listerine Smooth mint 21.6%
Cepacol Mint 15%
Cepacol 14%
Savacol Original 11.5%
Listerine Whitening 8%
Difflam Solution 7.5%
Difflam-C Solution 7%
Neutraflour 220 7%
Plax 6%
Peroxyl 5.5%
Neuraflour 900 5%
Curasept 0%
Dentyl 0%
Biotene 0%
Oral B 0%
Amosan 0%
Neutraflour 220 Ethanol Free 0%
Flourocare 200 0%

Michael J. Gulotta, DDS - Family Dentistry
1150 Portion Road
Holtsville, NY 11742
631-696-3820
www.mrmolar.com