A study which was conducted at the Australian University of Melbourne and published in the Dental journal of Australia(Jan-2009), claims that there is sufficient evidence to prove that mouth washes play an important role in causing oral cancer. Data from an International study which was done over 3210 people was reviewed by this study.
The study was done related to alcohol containing mouthwashes. Some mouthwashes contain as high as 26% alcohol. It’s a well established fact that independent alcohol consumption(in all edible forms) is a major risk factor for causing oral cancer, but the causative role of alcohol containing mouthwashes has been highlighted first time by this study.
Michael McCullough, who is the associate professor of oral medicine at the University and headed the study, asserted: “We see people with oral cancer who have no other risk factors than the use of (mouthwash containing alcohol], so what we’ve done is review all the evidence. Since this article, further evidence has come out, too. We believe there should be warnings. If it was a facial cream that had the effect of reducing acne but had a four to fivefold increased risk of skin cancer, no-one would be recommending it.”
Alcohol increases the risk of cancer by making the oral mucosa more permeable to carcinogenic(cancer causing) substances. Thus, the mucosa becomes more prone to infiltration by substances such as nicotine etc. The alcohol content in mouthwash contributes to this. Another important factor is that people gargle mouthwash in their mouth for few minutes which increases the exposure of the oral mucosa to alcohol and hence maximizing the harmful effects of alcohol on the oral mucosa.
Some other organizations have refuted this claim. However, considering the evidence of the study, more studies should be done to decipher the relationship between use of mouthwash and oral cancer. It’s not just another side effect we are talking about; especially since there is no simplistic cure for cancer.
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Wow!! This is stuff to worry
Is it the same for alcoholic beverages then?
“Alcohol increases the risk of cancer by making the oral mucosa more permeable to carcinogenic(cancer causing) substances. Thus, the mucosa becomes more prone to infiltration by substances such as nicotine etc. ”
So, that means using mouthwash AND smoking/chewing tobacco raises cancer risk??? Or just the mouthwash alone? It is already well known that chewing tobacco raises your risk of oral cancer substantially.
This article is inadequate.
Hey Emmy,
Use of mouthwash alone can increase you risk for oral cancer. Like you quoted from the article, the oral mucosa becomes more permeable to carcinogenic substances. Nicotine/tobacco are not the only carcinogenic substances around. For eg: Use of excessive spicy food is also a known risk factor for cancer.
So, use of mouthwash independently puts you at risk for oral cancer. Use of mouthwash and using tobacco puts you at a greater risk.
Hope that answers the question. Please subscribe to the blog to recieve updates..
Many people over-rely on mouthwashes to ensure fresh breath.
Alcohol-free mouthwashes are a better choice.
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