Experts caution: Think twice before you use mouthwash

Mouthwash may not be so good for you after all–in fact, it might even increase your risk for oral cancer.

According to new research published in the journal Oral Oncology, the alcohol contained in a number of popular mouthwash brands could be why this dental hygiene practice is being looked at with scrutiny. People who use alcohol-containing mouthwash three times a day or more have a greater risk of developing oral cancer compared to those who use mouthwash less frequently.

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“I would not advise routine use of mouthwash, full stop,” stated study researcher Dr. David Conway to the Daily Mail. “There are occasions and conditions for which a dentist could prescribe a mouthwash – it could be that a patient has a low salivary flow because of a particular condition or medicine they are taking. But for me, all that’s necessary in general is good regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing combined with regular check-ups by a dentist.”

In addition to the finding linking mouthwash usage and increased oral cancer risk, experts conducting the study also found poor oral hygiene was indicative of a high cancer risk as well.  Though the latter finding may not be as surprising, it may actually provide some insight into the mouthwash revelation.

Dr. Conway suggests a higher rate of mouthwash use may be linked to increased oral cancer risk, but it is possible that the individuals using mouthwash so frequently are also those who have poor oral hygiene. Using mouthwash to combat bad breath, for example, is one common reason people use the products frequently.

Individuals who smoke and drink are among those with the highest risks of oral cancer already, and Bhuvanesh Singh,a head and neck cancer surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, told NPR they are also the individuals most likely to have poor oral hygiene.

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“People who tend to be smokers or drinkers are the ones who tend not to take care of hygiene in general. That’s not a universal statement, but in general,” he said. “Whether poor oral hygiene caused the oral cancer is a little more difficult to define. Studies say the bacterial population in the oral cavity may be contributing to development of oral cancers, but these aren’t large enough to establish a definitive association. I would call this a soft factor. The same goes for mouthwash use. There is a potential association there. I tell my oral cancer patients to not use alcohol-containing mouthwashes — the alcohol is probably the main carcinogen to worry about. But I don’t tell them not to use mouthwash at all. There is no known harm to non-alcohol-containing mouthwashes.”

So what can you do if you want to keep using a mouthwash but are worried about commercial products? Try making your own mouthwash at home with these simple recipes from Breath MD:

Rosemary Mint Mouthwash

• 2 1/2 cups of water.
• 1 tsp each of fresh rosemary leaves, mint leaves, and anise seeds.
• Boil/Steep.

Tea Tree Oil Mouthwash

• 1 cup of water.
• 2 tsp of baking soda.
  

  If commercial mouthwashes have you worried, try making one of your own. (Shutterstock)

• 1/2 tsp of myrrh tincture.
• 4 drops of tea tree oil.
• 4 drops of an essential oil of your choice (cinnamon, peppermint, lemon).
• 1 tsp of vodka (optional).
• 1/8 tsp of stevia.
• Mix ingredients.

Baking Soda Mouthwash

• 1 cup of water.
• 1 tsp of baking soda.
• 4 drops of pure peppermint oil.
• 4 drops of tea tree oil.
• Mix ingredients.

Clove Mouthwash

• 2 cups of water.
• 2 tsp of dried rosemary or 4 rosemary sprigs.
• 4 cloves.
• Boil/Steep.

Mint and Honey Mouthwash

• 1 cup water.
• 1 tsp raw honey.
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice.
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil.
• 2 drops spearmint essential oil.
• 1 drop anise seed oil.
• Mix ingredients.