Is it bad to use expired mouthwash?
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Mouthwash – The oral rinse liquid formulated with active ingredients that fight against bacteria also has an expiry date. Nowadays, mouthwashes have come in different varieties as antiseptic mouthwash, cosmetic mouthwash, fluoride mouthwash, natural mouthwash, and prescription mouthwash. Each has its formulation therefore the expiration criteria differ by type.
However, the mouthwashes appear and smell fine even after reaching their expiration date in most cases. It does not imply that you can use expired mouthwashes.
Do you know the reason? Keep reading for more information.
What will happen when mouthwashes expire?
On average, the shelf life of mouthwashes ranges from 2 to 3 years. The expiry date is determined with mouthwash stability tests. It entails determining how long the active components in the mouth rinse liquid can remain effective.
It denotes that mouthwash will expire once its active ingredients are no longer effective.
In general, mouthwashes consist of 3 primary particles – water, alcohol, and antiseptic components. The chemical formulations vary from type to type. The active ingredients in mouthwashes undergo decomposition once they become less efficient. It is followed by alterations in their reactions. Due to this, your mouthwash will no longer be therapeutic beyond the expiration date.
Is it OK to use expired mouthwash?
No. Don’t use expired mouthwashes.
As the base element and other ingredients become ineffective, the expired mouthwashes cannot disinfect your teeth, gums, and mouth. In simply, a mouth is no longer serving its purpose when it expires, irrespective of the type or brand you use.
Take cosmetic mouthwash for example. They intend to freshen your breath temporarily whilst they have mild effects on oral bacteria. After expiration, the mouthwash is just a chemical cocktail comprised of inactive elements. Right?
Then it will not eliminate bad breath but will cause minor discomforts.
What happens if I use expired mouthwash?
As discussed now, expired mouthwashes are ineffective and harmful. Unlike cosmetic mouthwashes, therapeutic mouthwashes are formulated to prevent cavities and mitigate infectious conditions. Hence powerful ingredients like fluoride, essential oils, chlorhexidine, etc have been added to the fluid. Changes in chemical composition after expiration make the mouthwashes watery. It prevents you from procuring the therapeutic benefits of mouthwash.
Moreover, the rancid compounds in the mouthwashes promote bacteria growth if you rinse your mouth with such expired oral rinsing liquids. In essence, expired mouthwashes have the opposite effect of what they were designed for.
What to do with such expired mouthwashes?
Introducing mouthwashes after expiration to your oral cavity will have various adverse effects. So you should dispose of such out-of-date mouthwashes. Otherwise, reuse them with the activities listed below:
- Adding 1 cup of mouthwash while laundering will freshen the clothes.
- You can clean your mirrors and windows with mouthwashes.
- Helpful in cleaning the toilet.
- Soaking the toothbrush in a cup of expired mouthwashes for 10 minutes will disinfect the microbes lodged between the bristles.
Bottom line
Swishing your mouth after brushing and flossing gives your oral hygiene routine a nice finish. The rinse liquid offers various advantages to users, including dislodging tiny particles, preventing cavities, reducing microbial invasions on oral tissues, etc.
Remember that the mouthwashes also have an expiration. They cannot benefit you but breed harmful bacteria in your mouth. It is recommended to discard old mouthwashes and replace them with new ones.
Similarly, some mouthwash brands do not have any expiration date. It does not mean that they can last longer. It might be because of skipping stability tests to determine the lifespan. Please avoid such products also.
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