Is rinsing with mouthwash every day dangerous?

Fact 1 : Drinking alcohol regularly is a known risk factor for mouth cancer.

Fact 2: Some mouthwashes contain alcohol.

Conclusion: Using mouthwash cases cancer!

So is it true?

Well yes, according to one recent study from Australia which claimed there was a link between using alcohol-based mouthwashes and oral cancers - with the risk increased by a factor of nine.

But other experts disagree with the conclusions, as some of the people in the study with the highest risk were also smokers and/or regular alcohol drinkers - both well known risk factors for mouth and other cancers.

In addition, people who took part in the study were asked to self-report their levels of smoking and drinking. This is well-known to produce an underestimate as people seek to give researchers the "right" answers.

There was also no attempt to screen out environmental factors (most of the participants came from the same area) nor was there any attempt to measure how long the people kept the mouthwash in their mouth, how often they used or how much was used each time.

It is also possible that the people regularly using the mouthwash already had "oral health issues."

Another study suggested that the alcohol in some mouthwash may be a factor in some cases, but there was insufficient evidence to say for certain.

But most other studies have found no link at all.

The reality

Each year, around 5,000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer, and around 2,000 die from it. Smoking and drinking alcohol are the biggest risk factors. Alcohol helps smoke absorption in the mouth, so drinking alcohol while smoking increases your risk of mouth cancer even more.

If you smoke and drink heavily you are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

Other risk factors include poor diet, gum disease and being infected with the human papilloma virus (oral sex).

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Foundation said: "The British Dental Health Foundation has looked at the issue of alcohol in mouthwashes with a specially formed academic panel examining all the published evidence in great detail.

“The independent panel concluded that there was no proven link between mouth cancer and mouthwashes containing alcohol.

"Mouthwashes contain alcohol for a number of valid reasons. It can help to enhance the taste, helps in the cleansing action and adds to the antibacterial effect. It is advised however, that mouthwashes containing alcohol should be kept away from children.

“We advise people to use mouthwash after brushing their teeth. Mouthwashes do not simply freshen breath but can have additional benefits.

"For example, a fluoride mouthwash can help prevent tooth decay, whilst an antibacterial mouthwash can help control plaque and reduce gingivitis, also known as gum disease."

To lower your risk, he also advises making sure your diet is rich in fruit, vegetables, fish and eggs. Regular visits to a dentist can pick up early signs of the disease when treatment is most effective.

Finally, depending on how paranoid you are, you can always use a non-alcohol based mouthwash.

This article was published on Fri 25 June 2010