William Atkins
Sunday, 06 December 2009 21:49
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 2
According to research published in the British Dental Journal, mouthwashes that contain alcohol have a 'hypothetical' chance of causing oral cancer.
Their article in the
British Dental Journal is titled “
Are alcohol containing mouthwashes safe?”
The two British researchers performing the study are Dr. Robin Seymour, of Dental Public Health, and Dr. Carlos Werner, of the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University (Newcastle upon Tyne).
They state within the abstract to their paper:
“The evidence suggests that the alcohol component of mouthwashes affords little additional benefit to the other active ingredients in terms of plaque and gingivitis control.”
And,
“In view of this outcome and the hypothetical risk of oral cancer, it would seem prudent that members of the dental team advise their patients accordingly.”
Mouthwash products can contain up to 26% proof of alcohol. Thus, Drs. Seymour and Werner are recommending that dentists suggest alcohol-free mouthwashes to their dental patients.
The study by Seymour and Werner looked at previous studies, some of them that made conflicting conclusions, relating to oral cancer and alcohol-based mouthwashes.
For instance, in January 2009 the DailyTelegraph.com.au reported that the
Dental Journal of Australia published an article on alcohol-based mouthwashes and oral cancer.
The article “
Mouthwash linked to Cancer” stated there is
"sufficient evidence" that "alcohol-containing mouthwashes contribute to the increased risk of development of oral cancer.”
Page two talks about a conflicting study that concludes differently.
