"漱口水不宜使用過度！"

近年來民眾對於牙齒的美白保健越來越重視，一口潔白的皓齒確實會讓笑容大大加分，因此市面上也出現了各式各樣的牙齒保健商品。最近消基會抽檢了市售的15項漱口水，結果發現有近半數的產品pH值在5以下，1件達乙類成藥標準。

多數人認為酒精有殺菌的功效，因此許多人在吃過東西或刷牙後，習慣使用漱口水來加強潔淨效果。但事實並不然，醫師表示建議購買含氯己定(chlorhexidine)成分的漱口水，可有效抑制口腔細菌生長及預防牙齦炎，從而減少口腔異味的發生。

但是切記不要使用過當，因為連續性的長期使用下來，也會使牙色變深；嚴重的話還可能導致口腔黏膜破損，以及味覺改變等副作用。因此消基會提醒消費者，如果不是醫師有特別指定使用，建議還是以刷牙代替漱口水來清潔口腔才是正確牙齒保健之道。

(Health) Mouthwash Should Not Be Overused

In recent years, people have been placing more and more importance on teeth whitening. Since clean, white teeth can give you a brighter smile, all kinds of oral care products can be found on the market. A random inspection was recently carried out by Consumers Foundation, Chinese Taipei, on 15 types of mouthwash on the market. It was found that nearly half of the products had a pH level below 5, and one of them even met the Department of Healths criteria for category B over-the-counter drugs.

Many people think ethanol can kill germs, which is why they have a habit of using mouthwash after eating or brushing their teeth to enhance the effect of cleaning. In reality, however, that is actually not the case. Doctors suggest buying mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine for it can prevent the growth of bacteria in the mouth and inflammation of the gums, thus reducing incidences of unusual breath odor.

But one important thing to bear in mind is not to overuse mouthwash, as continual use of it can cause ones teeth to darken, and in more severe cases, there may even be side effects such as the oral mucous membrane becoming damaged and changes in the palate. The Consumers Foundation, Chinese Taipei, thereby reminds consumers to take the right approach to oral care, which is by brushing their teeth instead of using mouthwash to clean their mouth, unless they have received specific directions from a doctor.

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