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9 Surprising Ways You're Ruining Your TeethWho knew the very things you do to protect your teeth could actually damage them? |
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"If you happen to use an alcohol-based mouth rinse, the alcohol in it can dry out the mouth -- and bacteria thrive in dry environments," says Lituchy. (It's the reason morning breath is a thing; our salivary production slows down at night, which contributes to dry mouth and the multiplication of bacteria.)
Still, Lituchy always recommends using an anti-bacterial rinse and says alcohol-based ones are some of the most effective. To counter the drying effects, he advises rinsing with water immediately after. (If you've ever chugged a bottle of water after a night of cocktail-drinking, then this hydrating solution should make total sense to you.)
And in case you're wondering, yes, alcoholic drinks have the same drying effect as mouthwash but that doesn't mean you have to put your wine glass down just yet. Lituchy says you can counteract the dryness by swishing water around your mouth. (Likewise, if you're swigging sugar-heavy energy drinks following a workout -- when your mouth is dry from panting -- make sure to follow up by rinsing with water.) And even with wine's drying nature and high acidity, Lituchy says the health benefits of drinking it are more well documented than its adverse effect on teeth.
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