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Can Listerine hurt your gums?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 19, 2026

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 gums?

Mouthwash can easily slip between teeth and below gums, dislodging hard-to-reach food particles and plaque. Plus, mouthwash is a fantastic way to kill oral bacteria before they have a chance to inflame and infect your gums – making it an effective way to prevent periodontal disease.

Can LISTERINE cause gum damage?

Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes – Mouthwash with alcohol is not ideal if you want to prevent gum disease. The ethanol in this type of mouthwash can cause dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) which can actually increase your risk of gum disease.

What does LISTERINE do to your gums?

LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash has the power to kill germs that can lead to inflamed gums and gum disease. Plus, it helps reduce 52% more plaque than brushing and flossing alone. Check out the family of LISTERINE® products and information to help protect your gum health.

Can too much mouthwash irritate gums?

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

16 related questions found

Can we use LISTERINE mouthwash daily?

If used daily, it is a great way to freshen your breath and kill any harmful bacteria left over after flossing and brushing.

Why does LISTERINE burn so much?

Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, which causes the burning sensation many of us are used to. Alcohol is used in mouthwash because it is effective in killing the bacteria that can lead to gum disease, decay, and bad breath. However, many people prefer not to use mouthwashes with alcohol because the burn is too painful.

Do dentists recommend LISTERINE?

However, most dentists highly recommend adding mouthwash to your morning and evening routine. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions such as dry socket, tooth sensitivity, and xerostomia (aka dry mouth) may very well find mouthwash essential.

Should I rinse my mouth after using LISTERINE?

It is not recommended to rinse your mouth with water after you have just used mouthwash. This is because many mouthwashes contain ingredients such as fluoride that need time to start working. If you rinse your mouth out straight after, the fluoride will also be washed away during the rinsing.

How long does it take for inflamed gums to heal?

In most cases, swelling in the gums should go away after 1 or 2 days. For example, if you have food stuck in your teeth, or have used a mouthwash that irritated your gums the swelling should not last long.

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).

Why you should not use mouthwash?

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.

What is the fastest way to heal inflamed gums?

10 Simple Ways to Relieve Painful Gums

  1. Warm and Cold Compresses. A great and easy way to relieve painful gums is by applying compresses on your gum to relieve your pain. ...
  2. Salt Water Rinses. ...
  3. Hydrogen Peroxide. ...
  4. Tea Bags. ...
  5. Tea Tree Oil. ...
  6. Turmeric Paste. ...
  7. Over-the-Counter Pain Killers. ...
  8. Oral Anaesthetic Gels.

Can LISTERINE 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.

Is LISTERINE good for gingivitis?

The plaque buildup that leads to gingivitis can be prevented with twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, and twice-daily rinsing with an effective antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE®.

How often can I use LISTERINE?

To help ensure your whole mouth gets clean, properly use a LISTERINE® Mouthwash twice daily.

Should you use LISTERINE before or after brushing?

The good news is, it won't matter. You can rinse your mouth with mouthwash before or after you brush and/or floss without significantly affecting its benefits.

Should I use LISTERINE 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.

Should I use mouthwash before bed?

Use Mouthwash

Therapeutic mouthwashes can strengthen your teeth and treat some oral health conditions. Rinsing your mouth with one of these mouthwashes before bed can help to avert gingivitis and guard your teeth against cavities and plaque.

What is the safest mouthwash to use?

Healthline's picks for the best mouthwashes for better dental care

  • Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection. SHOP NOW AT Amazon. ...
  • Crest Pro-Health Advanced with Extra Whitening. ...
  • ACT Total Care Anticavity Fluoride. ...
  • ACT Dry Mouth. ...
  • Colgate Total Pro-Shield. ...
  • Listerine Cool Mint Antiseptic. ...
  • TheraBreath Fresh Breath. ...
  • CloSYS Ultra Sensitive.

What is the #1 dentist recommended brand of mouthwash?

Listerine antiseptic mouth rinse – is the #1 dentist recommended brand and most widely used in the country. This triple action formula can kill germs; leave your mouth feeling cleaner and fresher.

What is the best mouthwash for receding gums?

Corsodyl. Corsodyl is a well-known manufacturer of toothpaste, floss, and mouthwashes. The Corsodyl mouthwash helps with bleeding gums as well as recession, and it prevents gum disease. It is the go-to brand for many people with gum recession.

Does mouthwash burning mean its working?

Does the burning mean it's working? Contrary to popular belief, the burning sensation from using antibacterial mouthwash doesn't mean that it's working. The burning sensation is caused by alcohol, menthol and essential oils indicates a sensitivity to mouthwash ingredients.

What is the best time to use Listerine?

Although you can use mouthwash whenever you need to freshen your breath, the best time to use mouthwash is right after you eat. The sugars in the food and drinks you consume make your mouth more acidic. If you brush your teeth immediately after eating, you brush acid into your teeth, causing tooth erosion.

Should I dilute 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.