The Mouthwash Myth

I’ve always thought the burning sensation I get from my mouthwash was a good thing—that it meant it was really working. Then I find out the very thing that causes the stinging—alcohol—is actually making my breath worse. Alcohol is considered to be a “drying agent” and, as we all know, the dryer your mouth gets, the worse your breath gets. Your breath might be fresh for a little bit but as the saliva glands dry out, they are unable to wash away bacteria so the smelly stuff is able to flourish. Though a lot of popular mouthwashes contain alcohol, the latest product from GoSMILE uses good-for-you ingredients (antioxidants and vitamins) to fight free radicals and leaves you with fresh breath, minus the sting. Now that’s something to smile about.--Jennifer Appenrodt, Sephora