The regular flavor of Listerine does not seem to usually appeal to most people. I on the other hand do love the flavor of this mouthwash. I think part of this fact is largely due to the burning sensation that one has during those sixty seconds of torment. But once you spit it out after swishing it in your mouth for those long sixty seconds (trust me, sometimes it feels more like sixty minutes), then your mouth feels all fresh and tingly.
What is going on inside your mouth
When we sleep, germs are working to build plaque that then works to eat away at our teeth and cause gingivitis. That is why it is important to brush very good before retiring for the evening. However, it is virtually impossible to remove all the germs from our mouths, so a few will continue to hang around our mouths through the night. This few, work hard.
When we get up in the morning and have that sticky, smelly problem in our mouths it is those germs you can thank.
Listerine gets in between teeth were those sneaky little germs like to hang around and kills them. This is what goes on as you rinse your mouth. Now as to why the regular flavor of this tastes as it does one can only guess is due to the old wives tale that medicine has to taste almost unbearable in order for it to work.
And since this an antiseptic mouthwash contains ingredients to do just that; kill germs. However, there is good news! One does not have to suffer by using the original amber colored liquid, there are other flavors on the market that do not taste or burn near as bad.
I personally, do not like the other flavors, I prefer the original. After my eyes stop watering from the burn, I have this unbelievable urge to smile. I do not know if it is because I am glad it is over, or for some other reason. (I am guessing it is because I am so thankful it is over.)
Is all Mouthwash created equal?
No, all mouthwash is not created equal, some kill germs while others simply try to cover up the smell.
In Closing
I would put my money on Listerine and not waste it on other mouth washes that simply cover up the smell. The smell is not what eats away at your teeth, it is what causes the smell that does that.