Are alcohol containing mouthwashes safe?

British Dental Journal
C W de A Werner, R A Seymour

Abstract

Alcohol (ethanol) is a constituent of many proprietary mouthwashes. Some studies have shown that regular use of such mouthwashes can increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Recently, the evidence has been reviewed by two separate authors. The conclusions from these reviews are conflicting. In this paper, we reconsider the epidemiological evidence linking alcohol containing mouthwashes with an increased risk of oral cancer. The evidence is considered in term of sample size, strength of association, confounding variables and data collection. In addition, clinical studies comparing alcohol versus non-alcohol mouthwashes are evaluated. 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. 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.

Associated Clinical Trials

Aug 31, 2016·Hans Ragnar Preus

References

May 1, 1986·American Journal of Otolaryngology·T B YoungJ H Brandenburg
May 1, 1985·The Journal of the American Dental Association·A MashbergM L Grossman
Sep 8, 2001·Cancer Causes & Control : CCC·D M WinnR B Hayes
Dec 12, 2001·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·M QuirynenD van Steenberghe
Apr 2, 2002·Journal of Periodontology·J L Leyes BorrajoTorreira M Gallas
Sep 6, 2003·The Journal of the American Dental Association·Philip ColeAnnette Mathisen
Dec 30, 2003·International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer·Xavier CastellsaguéF Xavier Bosch
Mar 16, 2005·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·D A C Van StrydonckG A van der Weijden
May 11, 2005·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·J M AlmerichJ Poblet
Apr 15, 2006·Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·Nancy Nairi MaserejianAthanasios I Zavras
Apr 26, 2006·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·Nicole B ArweilerThorsten M Auschill
Oct 28, 2008·Oral Oncology·Carlo La Vecchia
Nov 19, 2008·Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology·Dirk W Lachenmeier

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 12, 2010·British Dental Journal·D W Lachenmeier
Oct 21, 2014·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Arkadiusz DziedzicRafał J Bułdak
Dec 15, 2012·Drug and Chemical Toxicology·Ana Lourdes Zamora-PerezGuillermo Moisés Zúñiga-González
Aug 17, 2011·The Surgeon : Journal of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Ireland·J ReidyL F A Stassen
Jul 5, 2012·Phytotherapy Research : PTR·Christian VlachojannisSigrun Chrubasik
Nov 25, 2011·European Journal of Oral Sciences·Rebecca MoazzezWilliam G Wade
Aug 9, 2011·Oral Diseases·J H Meurman, A Bascones-Martinez
Dec 6, 2011·Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association·Dirk W Lachenmeier, Mikko Salaspuro
Nov 28, 2009·British Dental Journal·Stephen Hancocks
Mar 5, 2010·Journal of Public Health Policy·Sylvester James BoumilHarris A Berman
Oct 24, 2012·Acta Odontologica Scandinavica·Katarina Wikén AlbertssonJan W V van Dijken
May 18, 2017·Brazilian Oral Research·Gabriela Otero Dos SantosPatricia Weidlich
May 18, 2021·American Journal of Men's Health·Martin S LipskyMan Hung

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Basal cell carcinoma is a form of malignant skin cancer found on the head and neck regions and has low rates of metastasis. Discover the latest research on basal cell carcinoma here.