Brandy or Schnapps as Mouthwash? Don’t Do It—Alcohol Harms Oral Tissues

Using spirits as mouthwash is strongly discouraged:

• High alcohol (35‑40%) irritates mucosa, causes dryness, disrupts microbiome.
• Erodes enamel by stripping protective pellicle.
• Lacks fluoride, antimicrobial agents, pH buffers found in therapeutic rinses.
• Risk of medication interactions and systemic absorption.

Safer alternatives if commercial mouthwash unavailable: saltwater rinse (½ tsp salt/8 oz water) or baking soda solution (1 tsp/8 oz water). Consult a dentist for personalized recommendations.