Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with mouthwash

Spit or swallow?

dnesan — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:23:28 -0800

Is swallowing (just a tiny bit) of mouthwash a bad idea? So, I'm trying to avoid a sore throat becoming a full-blown cough. I usually am lazy with my mouthwash routine, but I started doing the back-of-the-throat gargling with Listerine to try and kill any germs. The first time I did it, I accidentally swallowed a tiny amount, and as it went down my throat it was quite soothing.

I can see Listerine has the anti-bacterial thymol, and some other stuff. And of course the alcohol. This seems to answer almost exactly the same question, but I'd like something a little more reliable than the dregs of Yahoo Answers. Help me out Ask.Me, am I doing more harm than good?

Alternatives to liquid mouthwash for travelers?

Kerim — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:10:37 -0800

Are there other products as effective in reducing plaque which take up less space in my luggage? Or is there some way to find listerine in a powdered form? I use listerine regularly. Not for bad breath, but because (based on personal experience) when used in addition to flossing it seems to help reduce plaque and keep my gums healthy. While it is possible to easily pick up small travel size bottles in the US, I often travel to places where it is not so easy to pick up a bottle. And I like to travel light, so bringing large bottles of liquid isn't something I'm willing to do. Not to mention bans on liquids in carry-on luggage...

I knew someone who was once given listerine in a powder form by their doctor before a trip to a third-world country, but I don't see any such thing available for sale online, even at places that specialize in supplies for dental clinics. (There is listerine powder for sale, but its from the 1940s!)

So I thought I'd turn to MeFi to see if anyone had any suggestions. Are there other products as effective in reducing plaque which take up less space in my luggage? Or is there some way to find listerine in a powdered form?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Why does gargling with listerine hurt?

shivohum — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:10:21 -0800

Why does opening my throat and *gargling* with listerine, as opposed to merely rinsing like I would when brushing my teeth, hurt a lot? I don't have a sore throat or any other throat troubles I know of. Also, it may be just my imagination, but I feel like whenever I do this I feel these grainy "bits" in the back of my throat, as if there's tiny pieces of something that the listerine has broken down and detached.

is my fresh breath going to kill me?

bitteroldman — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:03:13 -0800

BadBreathFilter: By using mouthwash on an irregular basis, am I actually strengthening the bacteria in my mouth? If I understood my Biology teacher correctly, when prescribed antibiotics, one needs to take the entire prescription, to ensure that all the bacteria is killed. This is because any surviving bacteria will become stronger and more resistant to the antibiotics, and the next time you get sick, a stronger dose wll be needed.

Well, if some mouthwashes contain anti-bacterial agents, am I not strengthening the bacteria in my mouth by using them, especially if I use them on an irregular basis?

Or does the fact that we secrete saliva in the mouth physically remove the bacteria, therefore there is no need to worry about any resistant bacteria in the mouth?

Several day long allergic sore throat -- problem?

Malad — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:49:31 -0800

I've had a stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, and consequent sore throat -- all due, I think to an allergy. It's taking several days to clear up, and clearing up very slowly. Should I be seeing a doctor about this? I'm pretty sure it's an allergy because the mucus is clear. I am a chronic allergy sufferer but usually it's limited to a stuffy nose from dust mites. This is the first time it's developed into a post-nasal drip/sore throat thing. Maybe it's actually a cold?

On a related note, when I gargle with listerine, it burns like crazy (only when I gargle, not merely when I swish the listerine around in my mouth). Often it then feels like there's some kind of grit in the back of my throat when I swallow, at least for several minutes. Any idea what causes either the burning sensation or the gritty feeling?

What did this mouthwash do to my taste buds?

logovisual — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:57:00 -0800

I used Crest Pro Health alcohol-free mouthwash about an hour and a half ago. Now I'm eating McDonald's and I cannot taste the salt on the fries -- in fact, I made my roommate eat some of them to make sure I was not crazy, as they tasted sweet to me, like they'd been honey-roasted. Furthermore, the cheese on my ketchup-free burger tastes weirdly like ketchup. What the heck did that mouthwash do to my taste buds, and is there anything I can do to undo it quickly? I put a pinch of salt directly on my tongue, and it tastes just like sugar!

What is the best mouthwash?

Paul KC — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:01:19 -0800

If gargling hydrogen peroxide will give me cancer, and mouthwash contains alcohol which promotes bad breath, is there anything out that that is actually effective at preventing bad breath and won't kill me? I have been gargling with half water half 3% hydrogen peroxide for a while, but I am troubled by rumors of hydrogen peroxide's cancer causing effects. I have often read that mouthwashes such as Listerine contain alcohol, which dries out the mouth and actually helps bacteria grow.

What do you, fellow MeFites, use in the morning that gives good results and doesn't cause cancer?

Is there a delicious pre-mixed cocktail in my bathroom closet?

Mayor Curley — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:43:05 -0800

Is drinking mouthwash actually harmful to anything other than your social standing? I'm not desperate, or even in the mood for a drink. I was just getting ready for bed and noticed that the makers of my mouthrinse didn't try as hard to discourage me from swallowing it as they might.