Updated mouthwash advice

Most people don’t give a lot of thought to the type of mouthwash they use, but different mouthwashes have different purposes and some can have serious side effects, especially when not used properly.

Writing in the latest edition of Australian Prescriber, dental researchers Camile Farah, Lidija McIntosh and Michael McCullough warn of the potential side effects and recommend that people choose a mouthwash based on their personal oral health, considering the benefits and risks of each product.

“A mouthwash may be recommended to treat infection, reduce inflamed gums, relieve pain, reduce bad breath or to deliver fluoride,” the authors write.

“However mouthwashes should only be used for short periods of time and only in addition to brushing and flossing.”

The authors report there is increasing evidence of a direct relationship between the alcohol content of mouthwashes and oral cancer and do not recommend long-term use of mouthwashes containing alcohol.