Effects of Alcohol Containing Mouthwash on Oral Tissue: A Review

Mouthwash, is a liquid which is held in the mouth passively or swilled around the mouth by contraction of the perioral muscles and/or movement of the head, and may be gargled, where the head is tilted back and the liquid bubbled at the back of the mouth. Usually mouthwashes are an antiseptic solution intended to reduce the microbial load in the oral cavity, although other mouthwashes might be given for other reasons such as for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory or anti-fungal action. Most individuals do not adequately brush their teeth, and only 11 to 51 % of the population admits to using dental floss or some type of interdental cleaning device on a daily basis. (1) The daily use of an effective antiseptic mouth rinse is generally considered a simple strategy most patients can easily incorporate into their home care routine.