• Home
• What's in my cosmetic?
• Antiperspirants & deodorants
• Babycare
• Fragrance
• Haircare
• Make-up
• Male grooming
• Oralcare
  • About our teeth
  • Oral health problems
  • How does toothpaste work?
  • How does mouthwash work?
  • How do toothwhiteners work?
• Packaging
• Skincare
• Sunscreens
• Safety matters
• About us
• FAQs
• Media centre
• Site map
• Contact us

How does mouthwash work?

Mouthwashes or mouth rinses are cosmetic products used to make our mouths feel clean and fresh. They also freshen our breath. They are usually ready-to-use liquids, a liquid concentrate or a powder that is added to water before use. By flushing away small particles of food and germs from teeth, gums and tongue, mouthwashes help to reduce the causes of tooth decay and bad breath. They are not a substitute for brushing our teeth which is the main way of helping prevent tooth decay. However, because mouthwashes reach all parts of the mouth, and areas which cannot be brushed, they can be a useful addition to good mouth hygiene routines.

What’s in a mouthwash?

Each mouthwash product is slightly different, to appeal to different consumer needs. However, most will contain the following ingredients:

• detergents: these help to dislodge and remove food debris and loose plaque from the mouth.
• flavouring and colouring agents: to improve the look and taste of the mouthwash and also to help freshen breath.
• alcohol or other antimicrobial agents: to help kill bacteria and other germs that contribute to tooth decay and bad breath.
• preservatives: to prevent growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms in the mouthwash.
• water: to dissolve the other ingredients.

Some mouthwashes may also contain fluoride to help make teeth more resistant to acid attacks that can lead to tooth decay.

Mouthwash Safety

Like all cosmetics, the safety of mouthwashes is regulated by specific laws. These laws ensure that all ingredients and cosmetic products are safe for use. There have been very few scares or concerns about the safety of ingredients used in mouthwashes. Occasionally, the issue of mouth cancer is raised.

Smoking and high levels of alcohol consumption are known risk factors for mouth cancers. It is natural, therefore, to ask questions about the alcohol used in mouthwashes and whether or not it is a risk factor. All of the evidence and professional advice is that mouthwashes are nothing to worry about; they remain perfectly safe to use.

In January 2009, a report in an Australian dental journal said that alcohol-containing mouthwashes increased the risk of mouth cancer. The report was based on an epidemiological study (a statistical study of health effects on many people over a long period of time). However, the conclusions of the report have been questioned. Both the Australian Dental Association and Cancer Research UK say the study does not prove mouthwashes containing alcohol increase cancer risk. Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, says that no link between alcohol in mouthwashes and mouth cancer has been proven and the public need not worry about continuing to use mouthwashes.

Another concern is the effect if a child drinks mouthwash that contains alcohol. Expert advice is that there should not be any long term harm. Although it is not obligatory, some manufacturers use child-proof caps on alcohol-containing mouthwashes. Sensible advice is to keep mouthwashes out of the reach of children and this advice should apply to all cosmetic products.

Where can I find out more?

If you want to find out about different types of ingredients in your products, visit what's in my cosmetic?

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) is an association of manufacturers of cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery products, founded in 1945 to promote the interests of members, primarily with government. That remit has now extended to include the European Commission and many other regulatory bodies, national and international groups.

Members are manufacturers (full members), raw material suppliers and suppliers of services (associate members). Our Council is made up of senior industry representatives from small, medium, large and multi-national companies. Activities are funded through membership subscriptions.

The focus of our work centres on scientific, regulatory and legislative issues. We have a constant dialogue with the UK Government and this process is repeated at European level through COLIPA, the European trade body and internationally through an extensive network of national association contacts.

Visit the CTPA main website »

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) is the voice of the cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery industry in the UK. Our members vary from small and medium-sized companies to large multi-nationals and include manufacturers, raw material suppliers and service providers.

Our primary goal is to promote good working practice to ensure that consumers are provided with the very best products. To this end, we co-ordinate the industry's viewpoint on key issues such as science, innovation and safety and maintain an open dialogue with government, both at UK and European level, as well as with international regulatory authorities and key opinion formers.

CTPA recognises that the consumer has a right to understand the processes that industry and the regulatory bodies go through to ensure the safety and efficacy of cosmetic and toiletry products. Over the years we have steadily increased our focus on providing the public with direct access to the industry's perspective and progress on safety, science and innovation.

In April 2008 we launched our consumer information website, www.thefactsabout.co.uk, which provides scientific facts about common ingredients used in cosmetics and the industry's perspective on common safety questions as well as information on how products are regulated to ensure safety and efficacy.

Further information on the work of the CTPA is available from our main website www.ctpa.org.uk which also houses the full set of legislation under 'Cosmetic regulations'.