is mouthwash bad for you? Here is what you need to know before you swish.

With so many oral care products at your fingertips, it can be hard to determine which ones actually effective and beneficial to your oral health.

Mouthwash is one of those products that, if you don’t choose carefully, could do more harm than good. If you’ve used conventional (alcohol‑based) mouthwash before, you’ve probably asked yourself, why does mouthwash burn? Should something have to be painful to be effective? Why does my mouth feel dry?

Wait…is mouthwash bad for you?

At the end of the day, you have to consider the delicate ecosystem that is your oral microbiome. It works around the clock to aid digestion, communicate with your gut microbiome, and protect your body's systems by maintaining a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria. When you add harsh conventional mouthwash into the mix, you risk disrupting the system. You can also dehydrate your mouth, meaning fewer minerals to maintain strong, healthy teeth.

But, if you choose your mouthwash wisely, you can actually support your mouth in maintaining that healthy balance, while providing lasting fresh breath and stronger enamel.

We created Davids Hydroxi™ fresh breath mouthwash to give you an effective, alcohol‑free mouthwash that truly freshens your breath, detoxes your mouth, remineralizes your enamel, and nurtures your oral + overall health. To illustrate the Davids difference, let’s dive into the trouble with conventional mouthwash... and explore all the things that make ours the best choice for a healthy mouth + healthy you.

The Trouble with Conventional Mouthwash

The mouthwash bottles you see might promise lofty benefits and bright, sparkly colors, but think twice before grabbing them. Here are important reasons we avoid conventional, alcohol‑based formulas.

Chemical Ingredients

Most mouthwash contains harsh chemicals not meant to nurture your oral microbiome. Some of these include:

• Alcohol: High alcohol content can cause stinging, burning, reduce saliva production — critical for oral health.
• Chlorhexidine: Powerful antiseptic that can stain teeth, alter taste, and disrupt beneficial bacteria and pH balance.
• Chlorine dioxide: An industrial bleaching agent used for whitening or odor control, but classified as a “hazardous gas” in concentrated form.
• Poloxamer 407: Synthetic detergent that dissolves oils/flavors, but animal studies raise questions about its systemic effects.
• Dyes: Chemical dyes give color but may stain teeth over time.

Beyond the mouth, conventional mouthwash has been linked to health concerns in other organs. Unsurprising, as oral and overall health are intertwined.

Overall Health Concerns

Although conventional mouthwash aims to “kill 99.9% of germs,” it doesn’t distinguish between good and bad bacteria, which is counterproductive for oral health. Research from the University of Plymouth highlights:

1. One study found seven‑day use of chlorhexidine mouthwash can create an acidic oral environment, increasing decay risk and lowering heart-healthy bacteria.
2. Another study found chlorhexidine disrupted oral bacteria that help lower blood pressure! This reduced exercise-related BP benefits by 60%.

These studies reinforce that your mouth significantly impacts multiple body systems.

Oral Health Concerns

Conventional mouthwash can cause oral issues, including:

• Burning & allergic reactions: Ingredients can irritate or inflame delicate oral tissues.
• Dry mouth: Alcohol acts as a desiccant, reducing saliva and increasing risks of bad breath, disrupted microbiome, and cavities.
• Bleeding gums & canker sores: Harsh antiseptics or detergents can weaken oral tissues over time.
• pH imbalance: Disrupts the mouth’s natural pH, inviting enamel erosion, plaque buildup, and sensitivity.
• Microbiome imbalance: Nonspecific germ killing removes beneficial bacteria, causing ripple effects.

University of Plymouth researcher Louise Belfield explains:

“We have significantly underestimated the complexity of the oral microbiome and the importance of oral bacteria in the past... the majority of bacteria, whether in the mouth or the gut, are essential for sustaining human health.”

So what are the “good” bacteria?

• Streptococcus salivarius K12: Fights bad breath and candida.
• Streptococcus A12: Halts growth of cavity-causing S. mutans.
• Lactobacillus: Includes L. paracasei, plantarum, rhamnosus, and salivarius, which aid gum health.
• Bifidobacterium: Aids dietary fiber digestion, vitamin production, and infection prevention.

With over 700 species in your mouth, maintaining a bacterial balance is essential. That’s why an alcohol-free mouthwash that preserves beneficial microbes is critical.

That’s where Davids comes in. Our formula protects your microbiome, nourishes enamel, and supports your overall health, proving oral care can be both powerful and gentle.

The Benefits of Davids Hydroxi™ Fresh Breath Mouthwash

Enamel Health with Lab‑tested Remineralization

Our alcohol‑free mouthwash is formulated with Hydroxi™, our proprietary nano‑hydroxyapatite blend with naturally sourced ingredients. It uses the only SCCS‑approved nano‑hydroxyapatite particles, and third‑party lab tests show enamel remineralization in just a few days.

Compared to leading sensitive toothpastes, our Hydroxi™ toothpaste outperformed others in reducing sensitivity and enamel remineralization.

When you swish daily with Hydroxi™, you can trust in proven performance, not empty claims.

Fresh Breath & Mouth Detox

Our alcohol-free mouthwash includes naturally sourced ingredients to freshen breath and detox:

• Premium mint oil blend: Peppermint, spearmint, anise seed, and wintergreen for fresh flavor.
• Xylitol: Naturally moisturizing, supports saliva production without harming beneficial bacteria.
• Vegetable glycerin: Helps retain moisture and enhance essential oil delivery.
• Baking soda: Neutralizes acids, kills odor-causing bacteria, polishes teeth, maintains pH balance.

We avoid: alcohol, fluoride, sulfates, artificial colors and artificial flavors. Our formula is EWG VERIFIED®, meeting strict standards and free from harmful chemicals.

Sustainable & Cost‑Effective Refill

Our glass‑bottle refill system reduces waste and carbon footprint. Each 16 oz concentrate yields about 96 uses (compared to ~21 uses from standard bottles).

Feel good knowing you’re nurturing your oral health, overall health, and the planet every time you swish with Davids Hydroxi™ fresh breath mouthwash.