Dentists in Raleigh would agree that mouthwash makes a great adjunct to your oral hygiene routine. After brushing and flossing, mouthwash helps to kills germs and make your mouth feel fresher and cleaner. Most mouthwash products contain bacteria-killing alcohols, but many also contain therapeutic essential oils, and this powerful combination can be helpful in other areas of your life as well.

You can use mouthwash to:

• Clean your armpits and reduce underarm odors.
• Serve as aftershave in a pinch, soothing the delicate skin on the face.
• Eliminate dandruff when mouthwash is massaged into the scalp prior to shampooing.
• Remove a tick by covering the bug with a mouthwash-soaked paper towel for a few seconds and it should release its grip.
• Soothe itchy skin caused by acne, insect bites, poison ivy, or allergies.
• Relieve the pain of a wasp or bee sting by applying a dab of mouthwash to the area.
• Reduce the risk of an infected blister by cleaning it with mouthwash.
• In a pinch, clean minor cuts and scrapes with antimicrobial mouthwash.
• Soak feet in a mouthwash/water solution to treat toe and nail fungus.
• Heal a bruise and improve blood flow by applying a dab of mouthwash to the area.
• Eliminate garbage disposal odors by pouring mouthwash down the drain periodically.
• Eliminate smelly trashcan odors by soaking a paper towel in mouthwash and placing it in the bottom of the trashcan.
• Add a cup of mouthwash to load of laundry with your regular detergent to clean the inside of the machine and kill germs.
• Wipe down the bathroom surfaces with a mixture of mouthwash and water to control mold and mildew.
• Soak your toothbrush in mouthwash to kill germs after brushing.
• Pour a little mouthwash into the toilet and swish it around with a toilet brush to get rid of odor and germs.

For the purposes of this blog post, Listerine was the mouthwash of choice. To learn more about how mouthwash can improve your oral health, consult a Raleigh dentist today.