What do you typically look for in a mouthwash? If you’re like most people, your decision is based almost entirely on its flavor, or whether you prefer an intense “burn” to a gentle tingle. There might not seem to be much of a difference between various products — but with the emergence of CBD-infused offerings, that may be about to change.
Antibacterial mouthwash (sometimes called mouth rinse) is an excellent way to take care of your oral health. Long gone are the days when we thought simply brushing your teeth twice a day was enough to keep dental problems at bay. Today, dental hygiene experts often recommend antibacterial mouthwashes as an essential part of your daily oral care regimen — and recent research suggests that those containing cannabidiol (CBD) could be among the best on the market.
The right mouthwash can add a new dimension to your dental health. When used to supplement your normal brushing routine, it can help minimize the buildup of harmful plaque, preventing the need for fillings and other dental procedures down the line. It can also reduce bad breath — something most of us would like to avoid. But most importantly, using a good antibacterial mouthwash prevents gum disease.
Gum disease is surprisingly common in the United States. According to a study from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 64 million American adults suffer from the condition. This is nearly 50 percent of the adult population. Gum disease can vary in severity from light tenderness of the gums and spotting of blood during brushing, to bleeding and pus filled gums that begin to recede — which can cause teeth to fall out.
So while choosing an Antibacterial mouthwash might not be the most exciting part of your day, it’s worth taking a minute to think about.
Why CBD Makes Antibacterial Mouthwash More Effective
CBD mouthwashes and other dental products (like cannabis toothpaste) take advantage of the cannabis plant’s powerful antibacterial properties, which researchers are beginning to study in greater detail. Multiple studies have already shown that the cannabis-derived oil can effectively kill bacteria and fight off infections.
A CBD mouthwash, therefore, is able to deliver an antibacterial punch to all of the hard-to-reach areas in the mouth such as around your gums and in between your teeth.
As well as acting as a potent antibacterial, studies have shown that some CBD oils can reduce pain when applied topically. If you can find a mouthwash that contains full spectrum CBD oil, it could help to significantly reduce the pain and inflammation of your gums while it fights off the infection.
Finally, CBD mouthwash presents a much safer alternative to prescription mouthwash products that often come with a long list of side effects. Antibiotic mouthwashes can cause irritation of the mouth and throat, swelling of the tongue, a decrease in taste sensitivity, dry mouth, and more. In addition to these unpleasant side effects, regular use of an antibiotic mouthwash could reduce the effectiveness of your own immune system, making your body less able to fight off future infections itself, and making you more reliant on antibiotic products over time.
CBD, on the other hand, has been noted to cause very few side effects, and studies haven’t identified any negative effects on the immune system.
