Using Mouthwash on Shabbat
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Question
Introduction to the question:
On Shabbat, ideally one should not cause bleeding, and therefore many people refrain from brushing their teeth. Instead, they use mouthwash in order to remove unpleasant odor, and perhaps also an uncomfortable feeling in the mouth.
The questions:
1. What is the halachic status regarding a mouthwash which, if one is not careful and gargles with it a bit too long, does not actually cause bleeding, but does hasten or cause a certain peeling of the skin of the gums? On Shabbat, is it permitted to gargle with such a mouthwash only for a short period of time that definitely does not cause this? If it is forbidden, is the prohibition from the Torah or rabbinic, and is it because of the melakhah of gozez (shearing/removing something from the body) and/or because of the melakhah of chovel (inflicting a wound)?
2. Does the amount of peeling (a lot or a little) change the halachah?
3. Does the ruling change if the peeling of part of the skin of the gums, which is hastened or caused by gargling the mouthwash, becomes noticeable by sensation or visible to the eye only after some hours, minutes, or seconds, and not immediately?
Thank you.
On Shabbat, ideally one should not cause bleeding, and therefore many people refrain from brushing their teeth. Instead, they use mouthwash in order to remove unpleasant odor, and perhaps also an uncomfortable feeling in the mouth.
The questions:
1. What is the halachic status regarding a mouthwash which, if one is not careful and gargles with it a bit too long, does not actually cause bleeding, but does hasten or cause a certain peeling of the skin of the gums? On Shabbat, is it permitted to gargle with such a mouthwash only for a short period of time that definitely does not cause this? If it is forbidden, is the prohibition from the Torah or rabbinic, and is it because of the melakhah of gozez (shearing/removing something from the body) and/or because of the melakhah of chovel (inflicting a wound)?
2. Does the amount of peeling (a lot or a little) change the halachah?
3. Does the ruling change if the peeling of part of the skin of the gums, which is hastened or caused by gargling the mouthwash, becomes noticeable by sensation or visible to the eye only after some hours, minutes, or seconds, and not immediately?
Thank you.
Answer
Shalom and blessings.
1–3. It is permitted to use it.
Comments
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