Alcohol vs Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Alcohol-Free Mouthwashes

Pros

  • Causes no adverse reaction in children if they accidentally swallow some
  • Doesn’t give off the burning or tingling feeling in the mouth
  • Is a good option for patients who struggle with alcoholism, have sores in the mouth, are diabetic, or who suffer from dry mouth syndrome
  • Doesn’t dry the mouth out, which is essential in saliva production and oral health condition prevention
  • Can have better effect on the wear, hardness, glossiness and color of tooth restorations
  • There are various types of alcohol-free mouth rinses that are effective in treating bad breath, dry mouth, tartar and plaque build-up, and the treatment of tooth decay and gum disease
  • Contains CPC (cetylpyridinium chloride) and active ingredient that treats tooth decay and gum disease
  • Contains chlorhexidine gluconate, one of the most effective oral care ingredients in mouthwash
  • Freshens breath longer because the natural balance of saliva and bacteria of the mouth aren’t disrupted
  • Doesn’t contain benzalkonium chloride, which can be an allergen, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), saccharin (sugar), or alcohol. Instead it contains sodium benzoate, sodium bicarbonate, and other ingredients shown to help eliminate bacteria from the mouth.

Cons

  • You don’t get that tingling clean feeling or the stinging germ-killing feel
  • It’s harder to find and can be more expensive

Traditional Alcohol Mouthwashes

Pros

  • Is effective at killing germs and bacteria in the mouth
  • Contains CPC (cetylpyridinium chloride) and active ingredient that treats tooth decay and gum disease
  • Contains chlorhexidine gluconate, one of the most effective oral care ingredients in mouthwash
  • Give off a clean feeling in the mouth

Cons

  • Contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which dries out the mouth leading to bad breath and a reduction in saliva production
  • SLS can cause minor damage to the lining of tissue in the mouth
  • Can create painful canker sores
  • Kills both good and bad bacteria in the mouth
  • Fresh breath doesn’t last as long
  • Not suitable for young children as it can make them sick
  • Produces an unpleasant taste in the mouth as well as an uncomfortable stinging and tingling sensation in the mouth
  • Only temporarily masks bad breath, doesn’t get to the cause of it
  • Can possibly increase one’s risk of oral cancer