why does mouthwash burn?
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It may depend on which mouthwash you’re talking about. I can tell you a bit about the classic, Listerine, and any others that are using a similar formula.
The most important ingredient is thymol (oil of thyme) which is a very potent antimicrobial chemical but also burns simply because it is also a strong irritant of mucus membranes and similarly sensitive tissues. Listerine also contains Menthol and Eucalyptol which also tend to irritate. The alcohol content of Listerine is primarily there to make these oils water soluble.
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