🦷 Mondays with Mark: What’s wrong with mouthwash?

If you are a nerd for longevity, you won’t want to miss my brand-new interview with Dhru Purohit. Oral health is VERY much tied to longevity—Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, sleep…tune in here (Episode #432) and let me know what you think.

This week, those of you participating in the Oral Microbiome Reset online course will get to join LIVE for a discussion with Dr. David Lin, oral microbiome researcher. If you’re interested in the program, learn more and sign up here: The Oral Microbiome Reset.

Now, let’s discuss a question I’m getting a lot recently:

“What’s wrong with mouthwash?”
“What about natural mouthwash?”
“I gave up mouthwash but I miss it—what should I do instead?”

Mouthwash is a waste of money, a waste of time, and at worst—increases blood pressure (PMID: 31709856) by damaging the oral microbiome (here’s a nice primer video that explains how this is connected.)

Yes, even “natural” mouthwashes, which are loaded with essential oils. (Click here to learn how essential oils are harmful to oral health.)

Most mouthwash contain alcohol as one of the first ingredients, which dries out the mouth and causes a host of issues with both dental and overall health…⁣

Mouthwash may actually cause more cavities. Teeth need to be bathed in saliva in order to remineralize. A dry tooth = a tooth that can’t protect itself against demineralization.⁣

Think of what you already know about gut health. Those “friendly” bacteria are necessary for a healthy gut, and even have downstream effects elsewhere in the body, including on mood and mental health. Imagine the effect of an antibacterial mouthwash on your oral microbiome, which is the headwaters to the gut!⁣

Don’t let the minty flavor fool you; they may smell great but they don’t address the root cause of bad breath (like a tongue scraper or working with a functional dentist!)⁣

That “burn” is due to ingredients that irritate the gums, teeth and tongue. The sensitive tissues inside your mouth, the oral mucosa, are very delicate. Think of how doctors say never to douche—same advice applies. This is a sensitive environment that does NOT need to be disinfected! Burning and drying out these tissues can also worsen bad breath, cause mouth ulcers, and cause imbalances in pH levels.⁣

Trying to disinfect the mouth is the wrong approach. We want to NOURISH, not disinfect, the delicate ecosystem of bacteria in the mouth.

Let me know if you have any questions about mouthwash after checking out this article on my website and listening to Episode #98 of my podcast: Stop Using Mouthwash!

Thanks for reading this edition of Mondays with Mark.

Now, I have a favor to ask—forward this email to a loved one who could benefit from this information and encourage them to sign up (this newsletter is completely free) here: askthedentist.com/newsletter

P.S. What to do instead of mouthwash? Get an electric flosser! If I were stranded on a deserted island, my #1 product to take with me would be this electric flosser. Code ‘askthedentist’ gets you 10% off. Game changer!