For years, people talked about the benefits that came with using mouthwash that contained alcohol. It was said to be more potent at ridding your mouth of bacteria than anything else.

Well, as it turns out, that’s not exactly accurate. By using an alcohol-based mouthwash when getting treated for gum disease, you can actually cause damage to your mouth.

It is important that you specifically use the type of mouthwash suggested to you by your periodontist when undergoing gum disease treatment.

How Alcohol-Based Mouthwash Can Harm Your Mouth

Alcohol consumers are often well aware of what the effects of alcohol are on the mouth. The most noticeable effect is how much the mouth dries out. One of the most important parts of your mouth when it comes to keeping your mouth clean is your saliva. A lack of saliva leaves your mouth at very high risk of developing things like gum disease and cavities.

By using an alcohol-based mouthwash, you are drying out your mouth, too. It is keeping the saliva from being able to help the gums stay clean and help them remain tight against the teeth. It is also causing damage to your teeth that would be completely avoided by using an alcohol-free mouthwash. If you are in the process of being treated for gum disease, your best bet is to use a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol, but instead, is meant to kill the bacteria and microbes living in your mouth.

Find out from your periodontist during your next visit which type of mouthwash he or she recommends that you use. The more you can stick with their recommendations, the sooner your mouth is going to be able to heal and recover from the damage that gum disease can cause. If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more, please call us today at (713) 523-9040