Too Much Mouthwash 'Increases Cancer Risk'

Dental experts have warned people not to overuse mouthwash after new research suggested it may increase the risk of oral cancer.

A study of nearly 4,000 people found that those using alcohol-based mouthwashes more than three times a day had an increased risk of mouth and throat cancer.

People were also at higher risk if they had dentures or persistently bleeding gums, rarely brushed their teeth, or failed to have regular check-ups.

Researcher Dr David Conway, of the University of Glasgow Dental School, said: "I would not advise routine use of mouthwash, full stop.

"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."

Dr Conway said regular dental checks are essential to pick up early signs of cancer.

"People should not assume that if they wear dentures and have none of their own teeth left, they have no need to see a dentist," he said.

"You should make sure you go for regular check-ups."

The European study compared almost 2,000 people with oral cancer and a similar number of healthy controls. The results are published in the journal Oral Oncology.

Another of the researchers, Professor Wolfgang Ahrens, from the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, said the study is "really important".

"Up until now, it was not really known if these dental risk factors were independent of the well-known risks for mouth and throat cancers - smoking, alcohol and low socio-economic status," he said.