We’ve been taught for years that a quick swish of minty mouthwash after brushing is the gold standard for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. But what if that refreshing burn is actually burning bridges with your beneficial bacteria?

A new study published this week has revealed a concerning truth: commonly used alcohol-based mouthwashes may be damaging the delicate balance of the oral microbiome, with potential knock-on effects for whole-body health.

The Oral Microbiome: Your Mouth’s First Line Of Defence

Your mouth isn’t just a gateway to your gut; it’s home to a bustling community of microbes that play a critical role in maintaining health. Known as the oral microbiome, this ecosystem contains more than 700 species of bacteria, many of which are essential for preventing inflammation, breaking down food, and acting as the first defence against pathogens.¹

But this balance is fragile. And that’s where traditional mouthwashes come in, often acting more like a microbial bomb than a gentle tune-up.

Alcohol-Based Mouthwash: Disrupting Good Bacteria?

Researchers from the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) and the University of Antwerp found that a popular alcohol-based mouthwash brand significantly disrupted the oral microbiome after just one week of use. Their study showed that participants using this mouthwash had a marked shift in microbial diversity, with beneficial bacteria plummeting and potentially harmful microbes becoming more dominant.²

The findings were striking:

• Microbial diversity significantly decreased, meaning fewer types of good bacteria survived.
• Two potentially harmful bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus became significantly more abundant.

These two species are not just innocent bystanders:

The implications? An imbalanced oral microbiome is linked not just to bad breath and gum disease, but also to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s.

What’s Actually In Your Mouthwash?

Many mainstream mouthwashes contain:

• Alcohol: It is known to kill bacteria indiscriminately - both good and bad - and may also cause a burning sensation in the mouth or irritate the soft oral tissues.
• Chlorhexidine: A powerful antiseptic that may alter blood pressure and microbiome composition.
• Artificial dyes, and preservatives: Linked to inflammation and microbiome disruption.^3,4

While these ingredients might offer temporary freshness, they can come at the cost of long-term oral and systemic health.

The natural alternative: probiotic, hydroxyapatite-based mouthwash.

At Gutology, we believe in working with your microbiome, not against it.

Our new probiotic and hydroxyapatite-based mouthwash does exactly that:

• Hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral, helps remineralise enamel without the harsh effects of fluoride.
• Parabiotic strains support a balanced oral ecosystem, helping beneficial bacteria thrive.
• No alcohol. No artificial nasties. Just science-backed support for your mouth’s natural defences.⁵

Your Mouth Deserves More Than A Chemical Burn

With growing evidence that oral health is deeply connected to overall wellbeing, it's time to rethink the products we use daily. Alcohol-based mouthwash might give you minty freshness in the moment, but at the expense of your microbial allies.

Choose something smarter. Choose something your body will thank you for.