How long does mouthwash last

Ready to narrow down your search? The sugars in soda can lead to cavities and poor dental health. Here's why it happens and how you can prevent it. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Does Mouthwash Expire? Safety Potential risks Disposal and other uses Takeaway When the urge to clean strikes, you may find yourself with an armful of bathroom products, including mouthwash, that makes you wonder how serious to take their expiration dates.

Usually, mouthwash is good for a maximum of 2 to 3 years from the manufacture date. Is it safe to use expired mouthwash? What could happen if you use expired mouthwash? How should you dispose of expired mouthwash? The bottom line. Read this next. The 9 Best Mouthwashes for Your Smile. Then watch for changes in appearance which may show the mix is breaking down. This include changes of color, general appearance, texture or smell. Out of date mouthwash is unlikely to do anything to benefit your oral health.

The ingredients will have degraded so are unlikely to protect you from gum disease, plaque build-up, or bad breath! There is a small risk that out-of-date mouthwash could be harmful.

If there is no alcohol in the wash the chemical mix may have broken down making bacteria build up within the wash more likely. In this case you will be adding to the bacteria build up in your mouth, when the whole point of mouthwash is to reduce it! It will either not help you, or possibly make oral health problems worse.

And you certainly should not use it if the color or texture changes, or it starts to cloud. This is a definite sign that the product has degraded. If you are really concerned about oral health, why take chances? Go for a new bottle of mouthwash as soon as your old one is out of date! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

Learn how your comment data is processed. This article looks at: How long mouthwash generally lasts before it expires The impact of different ingredients on shelf-life What happens if you use old mouthwash? Summary How long does a bottle of mouthwash last? Alcohol Most alcohol-based mouthwashes contain ethanol which kills germs and bacteria.

Some freshen breath, others provide an anti-cavity benefit from fluoride, while others contain germ-killing ingredients to help prevent plaque buildup on teeth. You have many options, and the right mouthwash or rinse for you is the one that meets your dental hygiene needs for the health of your teeth and gums, and taste preference.

To help choose the right mouthwash or rinse, remember what mouthwash does and keep these points in mind:. Alcohol: yes or no? If you want to buy one type of mouthwash or rinse for the whole family, and your household includes school-aged children or teens, you may want to choose from among the alcohol-free mouthwash products that are available.

Also, some recovering alcoholics avoid using mouthwash with alcohol in daily oral care because of the potential for abuse. Sensitivity - Some people find the ingredients in mouthwash irritating, especially people who have sensitive gums.

If you have a sensitive mouth, consider an alcohol-free or natural mouthwash in your oral care routine. Natural mouthwashes often contain ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile for a soothing effect. Plaque control - If you want a mouthwash that not only helps control bad breath but also helps to prevent plaque build-up on the teeth, look for a dental rinse that contains anti-plaque ingredients. Login Register. Open Menu. Why Oral-B Mouthwash?

What is mouthwash, how it works and how to use it? In addition, to the necessary services, they will help you achieve optimal oral health with the right care at home. If you have any questions about the dental products you are using, contact our office today to speak with a member of our team. RSS feed for comments on this post. Schedule schedule appointment Forms complete our forms Like us like us on facebook Reviews leave a google review.

Toothpaste Most toothpastes have a 2-year manufacture date. Dental Floss Dental floss does not expire; however, after 1-year, it will start to lose its flavor. Toothbrushes An unopened toothbrush will never expire, but it should be replaced about every 3 to 4 months after use. Mouthwash Most mouthwashes contain alcohol or another antiseptic as an active ingredient.