Your mouthwash shouldn't leave you wincing in pain. If you're experiencing burning, irritation, or discomfort every time you rinse, your mouth is trying to tell you something important: the product you're using is too harsh. Many people assume oral care has to hurt to work. They tolerate the sting, the dryness, the lingering discomfort — believing it's the price of good oral hygiene. But after 25 years of dental practice, I can tell you with certainty: effective oral care sho