Mouthwash is an oral care product primarily designed to freshen breath and remove food debris. Certain brands are also formulated to aid in the prevention of cavities, decrease buildup of plaque and reduce gum disease.

The first references to mouth freshening products can be found in the records of the early Christian era which indicate that liquid products designed to clean the mouth and freshen breath were in existence at least as early as the first century A.D. Not much is known about these products other than that they were probably simple mixtures of essential oils. During the Arabian Period, between the seventh and twelfth centuries A.D., the science of cosmetics began to flourish. During this time fragrance and flavor oils (such as cassia, clove. nutmeg, musk, myhrr, tamarind, and rose) were discovered. Some of these oils were eventually incorporated into early oral care products.

However...