Listerine mouthwash
Listerine original formula has almost 26.9% alcohol in it which makes it almost 54 proof. This is more than the wine you drink. The alcohol dries up your mouth so although Listerine temporarily might give you the sensation of a fresh breath but in the long run by drying the mouth it promotes the growth of bacteria causing halitosis (bad breath).
The recent studies shows you do not need the alcohol in the mouth wash anyways to help to fight the bacteria.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs…
The alcohol in the mouth wash also softens the tooth colored fillings you have in your mouth and dulls the color of porcelain restoration (veneers, bondings) you might have.They fail faster.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query…
If you have recently whitenned or bleached your teeth, the drying effect of the alcohol and the coloring in the mouth wash discolors your teeth.
So if you are using Listerine to get a fresh breath switch to a alcohol free mouth wash like Crest pro health or Tom’s of Main alcohol-free mouth wash or Breath Rx. If you are using it to help gum disease or gingivitis, brush, floss and ask for a prescription mouth wash.
