I’ve always been aware of most mouthwash containing alcohol. For example, a typical 16 oz bottle of Listerine contains 22% of alcohol.
Most people like the idea of the “burn” in your mouth while gargling, it’s suppose to give your mouth that clean feeling. But sometimes I think it’s too much for me and even makes my eyes tear up. So lately I’ve switched to the alcohol free version. And so glad I did!
Aim Mouthwash 16 oz $2.99 availble at Drugstore.com
There is a surprising new scientific evidence coming out of Australia that found that alcohol-containing mouthwashes contribute to the increased risk of oral cancer.
Oral cancer is usually known to be brought upon by frequent smoking and alcohol consumption.
According to The Daily Telegraph out of Australia, “The ethanol in mouthwash is thought to allow cancer-causing substances to permeate the lining of the mouth more easily and cause harm.”
As we swish around the alcohol in our mouth, a carcinogenic toxic by-product named “acetaldehyde” is formed and accumulates in the oral cavity. This is the main cause of oral cancer linked to mouthwash.
A review in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology last year said it would be “prudent, precautionary public-health policy to generally refrain from using ethanol in (mouthwash) products” because of “doubts about the safety of alcohol-containing oral products. A Brazilian study has also found regular mouthwash use is associated with oral cancer regardless of alcohol or tobacco consumption.” - Clair Weaver of The Daily Telegraph.
Professor Michael McCullough, chair of the ADA’s therapeutics committee and associate professor of oral medicine at the University of Melbourne, is calling on the Australian Dental Association to reclassify alcohol-containing mouthwash as prescription-only and carry written health warnings.
Professor McCullough also mentions that acetaldehyde does not form when we drink alcohol. Since we are swallowing it and not swishing it around our mouth.
I’ve never heard about any of this in our news media or from my the dentist either. I think more people should become aware of this new study coming out of Australia and try to limit their use of alcohol based mouthwash.
Or just switch to the alcohol free version. One I am now using is by Aim . It is alcohol free and leaves your mouth fresh and minty too.
This is also a good one to try - alcohol free version. Photo from The Alcohol Free Shop, UK.
Product Description: “Tom’s Of Maine’s alcohol-free natural mouthwash with Vitamin C uses aloe vera to soothe, witch hazel as an astringent, and pure essential oils for refreshing flavour. Also saccharin-free and gluten-free.”
8:38 pm on March 17th, 2009
I guess no news is good news this day. We used Scope and it has 15% alcohol, I think I need to switch my daughter to the kid kind, I heard it’s alcohol free also.
I’ve heard of Aim toothpaste before, I used to use it when I was a kid, until my dad switched us to Colgate, but I didn’t know that they’ve mouthwash also. I wondered if other brands came out with alcohol free, I need to check the mouthwash section the next time I’m in the grocery store.
11:35 pm on March 18th, 2009
This was one of the most shocking news to me. I just found out about Aim recently and before that have only used a simple rinse made of sea salt.
I recently saw this man purchase a huge bottle of Listerine at Costco and I was so tempted to say, “Stop! Don’t buy that stuff! It can lead to oral cancer.” But I didn’t want to be the completely random strange lady at Costco.
10:02 pm on December 29th, 2009
[...] oils. I was also happy to try this mouthwash after I realized how bad regular alcohol based mouthwash is for your mouth. I’ve stopped using most commercial mouthwash. Gargling with 3% hydrogen [...]