Using mouthwash is a great way to have fresher breath and it can also be helpful for keeping your teeth whiter, but did you know that using too much mouthwash can be a bad thing for your teeth, mouth, and health? Overusing mouthwash can lead to problems, and here are a few things you should understand about the effects too much mouthwash can have on your teeth and health.

Your teeth may become more sensitive

Mouthwash products that are designed to whiten your teeth can lead to over sensitivity with your teeth. Tooth sensitivity is often the result of exposure of dentin. Dentin is a layer of tooth found below the enamel of your teeth, and this layer contains nerves. When you whiten your teeth with any method, including with the use of mouthwash products, it can lead to exposure of dentin. When this happens, you are likely to feel sensitivity with your teeth.

If you already have sensitive teeth, using mouthwash to whiten your teeth will make the problem worse. The only way to reduce the sensitivity, in this case, would be to stop using mouthwash.

Increased risk of bacterial infections in your mouth

A second problem you may encounter from using too much mouthwash is an increased risk for developing infections in your mouth. When you use mouthwash, it kills the bacteria in your mouth. The result of this is a loss of mucous shield. A mucous shield may sound gross, but it is an important part of your mouth. This shield is designed to stop bacteria from developing into an infection in your mouth. Using mouthwash temporarily removes this shield; and when this happens, it opens up the potential for any remaining bacteria to get inside your gums and infect them.

You may have a dry mouth

Your mouth is naturally wet from the saliva your saliva glands produce all the time, but your mouth can dry out if you use too much mouthwash, especially if the mouthwash you use contains alcohol. Alcohol is a common ingredient in mouthwash products, but it is also something that can lead to dry mouth.

Dry mouth can be uncomfortable to have, but that is not the only problem it creates. With dry mouth, you might be at a higher risk for having bad breath, and it can actually cause cavities to form quicker. Saliva is a natural tooth cleanser, and this is important because it actually cleans your teeth.

If you use mouthwash a lot and are wondering if you use it too much, you may want to talk to a dentist about this. You can schedule a visit with a dentist in your area to learn more.