Mouthwash ingredients include thymol, eucalyptol, hexetidine, methyl salicylate, menthol, chlorhexedine gluconate, benzalkolnium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, methylparaben, hydrogen peroxide, domiphen bromide, fluoride, enzymes and calcium. There are also water sweeteners such as sorbitol, sucralose, sodium saccharine and xylitol. Some mouthwash has alcohol which takes up to 27% vol. The alcohol content gives an antibacterial effect. According to research, alcohol causes mouth to be dry. It also aggravates the condition of chronic bad breath. It decreases saliva, which naturally makes breath fresh.
A researcher from the Dental Journal of Australia published a report linking mouthwash to oral cancer. It concludes that there is enough proof that alcohol-based mouthwash increases the chance of having an oral cancer. Alcohol based mouthwash has acetaldehyde as its by-product. As Acetaldehyde is produced,
it builds up in the oral cavity. The researcher believes it is carcinogenic, thus causing cancer.
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