Mouthwashes Increase The Risk of Oral Cancer

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The research team, which includes dentists, says that dentists should stop recommending mouthwashes such as Listerine, and that the products should be removed from the shelves.

Mouthwash: Not exactly a fresh and minty taste...

After reviewing the data of the latest research, researchers at the University of Queensland say there is “sufficient evidence” of a link between the products and oral cancer.

The study, which involved 3,200 people, found a nine-fold increase in risk among smokers, and a five-fold increased risk among drinkers. It’s thought the ethanol in mouthwash helps nicotine and other cancer-causing substances to permeate the mouth. The ethanol can also cause acetaldehyde, another known carcinogen.

Mouthwash: Significant link to oral cancer

The most important factors contributing to oral cancer are tobacco usage and excess consumption of alcohol, the two acting separately and synergistically. Laboratory studies have repeatedly shown that alcohol enhances the penetration of tobacco-associated carcinogens (cancer promoting agents) in the mouth and mucus.

Alcohol is used in mouthwashes principally as a solvent for other ingredients. However, at 10–12 per cent it also acts as a preservative, antiseptic and caustic agent. Previous studies have shown that high concentrations of alcohol in mouth rinses may have detrimental oral effects such as epithelial (tissue-lining) detachment, keratosis (skin growths), mucosal ulceration, gingivitis, petechiae (bleeding into the skin or soft tissue) and oral pain.

The possibility of alcohol-containing mouthwashes contributing to the development of oral cancer is not a new proposition. In 1983, Dr’s. Wynder and Blot undertook a retrospective analysis of patients developing oral cancer and found that the daily use of mouthwash showed a risk in females but no risk in males.

Furthermore, the 1983 study reported that in non-smoking, non-drinking women, daily mouthwash use was associated with risk. A further study of 206 women with oral and pharyngeal cancers and 352 controls assessing the patterns of mouthwash use found that, among women abstaining from tobacco, the risk of developing oral cancer was almost twice as likely than non-tobacco and non-mouthwash users. This study raised the possibility that mouthwash may contribute to oral and pharyngeal cancers. Details of the two studies was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that using alcohol-containing mouthwashes can increase the risk of or contribute to the risk of oral cancer.

Whilst many of these products may have been shown to be effective in penetrating oral microbial biofilms and reducing oral bacterial load, it would be wise to restrict their use to short-term therapeutic situations if needed, said the researchers.

The researchers also suggested that mouth rinses should be prescribed by dentists, like any other medication. There may well be a reason for the use of alcohol-containing mouth rinses, but only for a particular situation and for a limited and controlled period of time. As such, patients should be provided with written instructions for mouthwash use, and mouthwash use should be restricted to adults for short durations and specific, clearly defined reasons.

It is the opinion of the researchers that, in light of the evidence currently available of the association of alcohol-containing mouthwashes with the development of oral cancer, it would be inadvisable for oral healthcare professionals to recommend the

long-term use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes.

Perhaps the use of mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol may be equally effective.

Regular readers of our alerts will also be aware of the numerous health concerns we have raised regarding fluoride in oral hygiene products and drinking water.

Oral cancer facts

Worldwide, oral cancer represents approximately 5 per cent of all malignant lesions, with over 800 new cases in Australia alone, each year. (The average number of new cancers for tongue and mouth cancer between 1999 to 2003 was 881 per year in Australia.)

In the UK and most other countries, oral cancer is more common in men than women. The risk of developing oral cancer increases with age and in the UK the majority of cases occur in people aged 50 or over. However, in some developing countries, oral cancer is relatively common in younger people.

To read further on related issues, follow the links:

Fluoridated Water: Eliminate Your Risk From Toxic Water

Fluoride in Water: Fighting Back Against Fluoride

Gingivitis Treatment: Natural Remedies To Help Your Gums

‘The role of alcohol in oral carcinogenesis with particular reference to alcohol-containing mouthwashes’ by Dr. MJ McCullough, Dr. CS Farah, Australian Dental Journal 2008; 53: 302–305

‘Oral cancer: Mouthwashes increase risk nine times’, published online, wddty.com

‘UK Oral Cancer incidence statistics’ published online, info.cancerresearchuk.org

‘Oral cancer risk factors’ published online, info.cancerresearchuk.org