# Why gargle?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gargle/379915>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 10, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gargle/379915 "2006-11-10T19:30:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gargle/379915/1 "2006-11-10T19:30:54Z")

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I saw a commercial the other day in which a dog is gargling at the bathroom sink. I didn’t get anything else from the commercial, but it set me to thinking. So this morning, during my customary gargle, I tried to detect an advantage over a simple but thorough swish. The Listerine (Vanilla Mint. Less intense, equally effective) covered about the same area with both methods.  
So I come to you, the Cream of the Intellectual Crop, for the answer.  
BTW; this question is _not_ about the effectiveness of mouthwash in general.  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gargle/379915/2 "2006-11-10T19:41:49Z")

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A breeding ground for less than fresh breath is at the very back of your tongue. Gargling, I would guess, cleans this area better than swishing.

possibly gross:If you want a demostration of this, feel the very back of your tongue then smell your finger. Unless you’ve been gargling or brushing your tongue, you’ll get a pretty nasty smell.

I just brush my tongue when I brush my teeth for the same effect.

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gargle/379915/3 "2006-11-10T20:03:09Z")

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[QUOTE=brewha]  
A breeding ground for less than fresh breath is at the very back of your tongue. Gargling, I would guess, cleans this area better than swishing.

possibly gross:If you want a demostration of this, feel the very back of your tongue then smell your finger. Unless you’ve been gargling or brushing your tongue, you’ll get a pretty nasty smell.

I just brush my tongue when I brush my teeth for the same effect.  
[/QUOTE]

I brush my tongue too. Learned that in the Navy. 😃 In 1964. I hurt.  
From the horse’s, uh, mouth;

> [@](#):
>
> rinse full strength for 30 seconds with 20 ml (2/3 fluid ounce or 4 teaspoonfulls) morning and night - do not swallow

Hmmm. No commitment there.