Dear Debbie,

There have been past studies that established a link between the use of mouthwash that contains alcohol and increased rates of oral and oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the mouth and throat). More recent research, however, has cast doubt on a relationship between mouthwash and cancer.

One comprehensive study by researchers at Yale University's School of Epidemiology and Public Health in 1995 analyzed all of the English-language studies on this subject from 1976 until 1994. They concluded that few of the studies adhered to basic methodological principles of case-control design [one that compares persons with a given disease (the cases) with persons who do not have it (the controls)], and that the data presented did not support an association between the use of mouthwash and higher risk for cancer.

One factor that most studies which found a link between mouthwash and cancer have not taken into account is the increased use of mouthwash by folks who smoke or consume alcoholic beverages, which are known to cause cancers of the mouth and throat.

But if you or your boyfriend is still concerned with any possible harm in using alcohol-containing mouthwash, you could discontinue gargling with the product and try a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol instead. Or, you could give it up altogether: mouthwash is cosmetic and does not have any lasting effect on bad breath or oral hygiene. For any troublesome cases of halitosis, it's best to take a trip to your dentist.

Alice

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