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The Daily Insight

Is it good to use Listerine everyday?

Author

Christopher Snyder

Updated on March 13, 2026

Mouthwash every day is also a great addition to your oral care routine. If used daily, it is a great way to freshen your breath and kill any harmful bacteria left over after flossing and brushing.

How often should you use Listerine?

Most mouthwash products recommend that you use them twice per day, after brushing and flossing.

Is using Listerine harmful?

It destroys the bacterial balance in your mouth, dries out the skin, causes imbalances in pH levels, worsens bad breath, may cause mouth ulcers and increase your risk for oral cancer, and it may contribute to the development of gingivitis.

Is Listerine healthy to use?

It also has benefits for your overall oral health. Using mouthwash helps reduce the bacteria in your mouth, which reduces the amount of dental plaque that forms. Regular use of mouthwash helps prevent periodontal disease and, if the mouthwash contains fluoride, reduces cavities when used correctly.

Do dentists recommend Listerine?

What are your needs? If you have cavities or are at a high risk of contracting gum diseases, your dentist may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. Mouth rinses with fluoride can also help ward off tooth decay.

Should I use mouthwash everyday?

What is the safest mouthwash to use?

  1. hello Naturally Healthy Anti-Gingivitis Mouthwash. ...
  2. Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash. ...
  3. Tom's of Maine Whole Care Anticavity Mouthwash. ...
  4. hello Kids Wild Strawberry Anticavity Mouthwash. ...
  5. hello Naturally Fresh Antiseptic Mouthwash. ...
  6. hello Fresh Spearmint Moisturizing Mouthwash.

Should I use mouthwash before bed?

It's important to use mouthwash after eating and before bed. For each use you should swish the liquid in your mouth for about a minute. If you eat a meal with heavy odors, you should use mouthwash after eating. It's best to also use mouthwash before bed to get rid of excess germs and bacteria before or after brushing.

Which Listerine is best?

1. Listerine Total Care: The best all-round mouthwash – if you don't mind the sting. Listerine dominates the mouthwash market, and Total Care is its flagship product. Boldly, it claims to kill up to 97% of germs, while reducing plaque by up to 56% more than brushing alone.

Can Listerine hurt your gums?

Some mouth rinses contain high levels of alcohol — ranging from 18 to 26 percent. This may produce a burning sensation in the cheeks, teeth, and gums. Burning can also come from consistent mouthwash use, which causes irritated mouth tissue and can lead to mouth sores.

Can mouthwash damage your teeth?

Aside from alcohol, studies also show that commercially available mouthwashes have low PH level or are highly acidic with acid levels that are almost the same as your household vinegar. This compounds the deleterious effect of the alcohol in your mouthwash by hastening the erosion of your tooth enamel.

What are the side effects of Listerine?

Listerine Side Effects

Swollen, red, or bleeding gums, tooth loss or ongoing tooth pain (signs that you may need additional dental care).

What happens if you use Listerine too much?

Overuse of mouthwash symptoms include: Dry mouth. Inflamed/painful gums. Minimised taste sensitivity.

Which is better salt water or Listerine?

Mouthwash can be helpful to freshen your breath and cleanse areas your toothbrush can't reach. However, saltwater rinses are generally cheaper and can be equally effective in improving your oral health and hygiene, says Dr. Chris Kammer, DDS, a dental surgeon.

Should we mix water with Listerine?

If the mouthwash seems too strong, you can dilute it by adding water. That said, you should check the label first, since diluting the product could reduce its ability to fight plaque. Some people experience irritation when rinsing with mouthwash. This is especially common for people who have sensitive gums or teeth.

Does Listerine stain teeth?

If you use mouthwash, chances are you're wanting to improve the freshness of your breath and health of your teeth. Sadly, some mouthwashes may actually contribute to tooth staining and detract from the overall appearance of your smile.

Should Listerine be used before or after brushing?

The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, the NHS recommends using mouthwash at a different time of day.

Can Listerine cure gingivitis?

While LISTERINE® mouthwash products can help prevent early gum disease, they are not indicated to treat periodontitis. For more information about the differences between gum disease, gingivitis and periodontitis, click here.

Should you gargle with Listerine?

LISTERINE® mouthwash is only intended to be used to help prevent common oral health problems like bad breath, plaque, cavities, gingivitis and tooth stains. LISTERINE® mouthwash is not intended to be gargled in the throat, but rather, swished in the mouth.

Should I mouthwash before brushing?

According to the American Dental Association, it doesn't matter whether you use mouthwash before or after brushing. Both are equally effective. The sequence in which you brush, floss and rinse makes no difference as long as you do a thorough job and use quality products.

Can gums grow back?

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

How much alcohol is in Listerine?

The original Listerine formula, for instance, has a 26.9 percent concentration of alcohol. Scope sits at 18.9 percent. Cepacol has one of the lowest concentrations at 14 percent. By contrast, most beers have 3 to 7 percent alcohol content while wine comes in at 12 percent.

What was Listerine originally used for?

Abstract. Listerine, a mouthrinse composed of a mixture of essential oils, was created in 1879 and was originally formulated as a surgical antiseptic. In spite of its known antimicrobial properties it was thought of as a product in search of a use and promoted as a deterrent for halitosis and as a floor cleaner.

Why do you have to wait 30 minutes after mouthwash?

Short answer: It doesn't matter. However, if you are using a fluoride toothpaste, wait at least 30 minutes before you rinse (yes, even a fluoride one) as it'll wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste before it can do its job. If you do use a fluoride mouthwash, wait 30 minutes before you eat or drink.

Can I just mouthwash instead of brushing?

Question #1 — Can mouthwash replace brushing? Answer — No, mouthwash cannot replace brushing one's teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Mouthwash should be used to help get rid of bad bacteria in the mouth and not for providing the teeth with the care they need for one's good oral health.

Can I just use mouthwash instead of brushing at night?

Mouthwash might seem like a quick and easy solution instead of brushing and flossing before bedtime, but the truth is that it's just not an effective replacement to actually cleaning your teeth.