Research has shown that there is a link between over-use of mouthwash and cancer and researchers are warning of an ‘elevated risk’ if the product is used ‘three or more times a day’.
Europe-wide research suggested that excessive use of mouthwash raises the risk of cancer and the study leader Dr David Conway, of the University of Glasgow, adds that ‘some people who regularly smoke or drink alcohol use mouthwash to hide the smell’ which could increase the risk of oral cancers. The product can be useful if prescribed by a dentist but Dr Conway said that ‘all you need for good oral health is regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing, plus regular check-ups by a dentist.’
Alcohol in mouthwash is thought to help cancer-causing substances to penetrate the mouth lining more easily, but the study leader maintained that ‘We did not find any significant increase in risk associated with using mouthwash once or twice a day.’ The reviewers said that the results showed it was reasonable to ‘believe that there is now sufficient evidence to accept the proposition that alcohol-containing mouthwashes contribute to the increased risk of development of oral cancer.’
The study involved 1, 962 patients with mouth or throat cancer and 1,993 people without the disease; 13 universities across nine countries were included in the research. The results are being published in the specialist journal Oral Oncology.