Use Mouthwash In Moderation

Mouthwash Linked to Oral Cancer

Some of the mouthwashes available on the market today advertise as being as a substitute to and just as effective as tooth brushing.  These products tout their easy availability and the benefit of keeping your breath fresh all day long.  However, it turns out, according to a newly published study from the University of Glasgow, in the journal Oral Oncology, that overuse of mouthwash is linked to oral cancer.

Overuse of Mouthwash 

A study of 1,962 oral cancer sufferers and 1,993 healthy people in thirteen centers in nine countries found that rinsing with such products more than three times per day was associated with an increased risk of the development of mouth and throat cancer.  This is due to cancer causing chemicals in the mouthwashes being absorbed by the mucosal lining of the mouth and throat tissues.  The evidence suggests that overuse of mouthwashes to mask denture odors, periodontal disease, bad breath, smoking, or alcohol intake increases the risk of oral cancer.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309