Using mouthwash incorrectly can easily cause cancer

Experts warn that using mouthwash frequently can make you susceptible to oral cancer.

Experts recommend that people should not use mouthwash regularly. Photo: Corbis

New research shows that people who use mouthwash more than three times a day face a higher risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer.

Dr David Conway, a lecturer at the School of Dentistry at the University of Glasgow (UK), stated that people should not use mouthwash regularly, but should brush and floss instead. According to him, poor oral health, one of the reasons why many people often use mouthwash, also affects the risk of cancer.

The findings support a 2009 study in which Australian scientists said there was sufficient evidence that alcohol-based mouthwashes contributed to an increased risk of developing the disease, because these products allow carcinogens to penetrate the lining of the mouth more easily.

In the latest study, experts from the University of Glasgow and European colleagues assessed 1,962 cancer patients and 1,993 healthy people at 13 centers in nine different countries. They found that people with poor oral health, including denture wearers and individuals who constantly had bleeding gums, had a much greater risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancers.

The team also found that some people at high risk of cancer may be using mouthwash incorrectly to remove the smell of tobacco or alcohol. They recommend that mouthwash products be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

"I don't recommend regular use of mouthwash," Dr. Conway stressed. "You need to stop now. There are some special cases and conditions where dentists prescribe mouthwash, such as patients with low saliva flow. However, for me, in general, all we need is thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and regular dental checkups."

According to vietnamnet