Mouthwash is no substitute for proper brushing and flossing. However, when it is used to supplement your brushing and flossing, it can go a long way to take your dental hygiene to the next level.
Plus, did you know that mouthwash isn’t just for washing your mouth? It can also stand in as a money-saving alternative to household and personal care products.
Mouth Rinse Wasn’t Its First Use
Mouthwash was first invented in 1879, and was intended to be used as a surgical disinfectant. Its use as an antibacterial mouth rinse wasn’t discovered until after the fact.
Today, customers who are in the loop know how to get their money’s worth from their oral rinse. At Central Park Modern Dentistry, we want our patients to be in-the-know. That’s why we selected our five favorite alternative uses for mouthwash. For these uses, you will need to use an alcohol-based rinse.
Five Lesser Known Uses for Mouthwash
- Athlete’s Foot Treatment: Mouthwash contains both alcohol and antiseptic ingredients, both of which help to treat fungal infections. Simply soak a cotton ball and sweep it over the affected areas on your feet.
- Deodorant: Ingredients like methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, and thymol can kill bacteria that cause odor. To use as deodorant, just saturate a cotton ball and sweep them over your underarms a few times. This was another of mouthwash’s earliest intended uses.
- Dry Scalp Treatment: In addition to being a great antibacterial treatment, eucalyptol can be effective at treating dandruff, since dandruff is caused by fungus that leads to skin overgrowth. For this treatment, you’ll need to mix 1-part mouthwash, 1-part witch hazel, and 8 parts water in a spray bottle. Then just spritz your roots and scalp.
- Washing Machine Refresher: If your washing machine is beginning to develop a musty odor, just add a capful of alcohol-based, sugar-free mouthwash to your next load. Be careful of colors, though! The dye in mouthwash could stain your clothes. The mouthwash’s antibacterial properties should clear up any odors.
- Fresh Flower Enhancer: Fill the mouthwash cap and pour it into the vase with the water for your bouquet of fresh flowers. This will control the bacteria that can break them down.
We hope these tips help you look at your mouthwash as the multipurpose product it can be! While our favorite use for mouthwash is to wash your mouth, we can’t forget to brush and floss.