Alcohol Mouthwash and Cancer

[vonic]

I noted that there are new findings from a study in Australia that correlates the use of alcohol based mouthwash to an increased incidence or oral cancer. This study follows numerous other studies that were either somewhat conclusive or not conclusive for one reason or another. I am a big fan of using alcohol based mouthwash and have been using it more since getting braces a year ago. Along with flossing daily and brushing 2-3 times a day (2 times of which is two minutes long), I use the alcohol based mouth wash twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. The alcohol content is somewhere around 27%. And when I use it, I can feel the burn. The result has been impeccable oral hygiene that always garners a comment from the orthodontist and dentist every time I go. For me, it’s all about having a clean mouth and healthy gums. But in the back of my mind, I am always wondering if I am setting myself up for potential cancer later in life. I plan on asking my dentist his opinion the next time I go, but that is only one perspective. I am also considering getting the bonded permanent retainers on both the top and bottom when the braces come off. While I have no problem threading floss for the rest of my life, I know that any permanent wires will likely push me to use a lot of mouthwash to maintain as clean a mouth as I can. I could go to a non-alcohol based, but its bacteria killing power just isn’t the same. Any thoughts or opinions?

[Sunny]

Vonic talk to your ortho and dentist about your concerns as there are mouth washes available that don't use alcohol. I use an alcohol base one once a day and one that is alcohol free any other times I need it during the day. This has nothing to do with the alcohol ... but is due to me preferring the non alcohol wash and my ortho the alcohol mouth wash.

I guess this is a good time to be reminded that if we drink alcohol ... then why be concerned about a mouth wash that we use to rinse our mouths with.

My husband died of cancer this year ... 12 months after being diagnosed with an aggressive tumour. He enjoyed alcohol and did carry extra weight and loved good food. He wasn't on any medication, due to having no health issue, before he had difficulties eating. He was an ex New Zealand sports player and loved time in the fresh air doing a wide range of activities. Did one or any of these things cause his cancer ... it would be great to know ... although I'm not sure what help that would be ...

I think living causes cancer ... because the one thing we can be sure of, is we're all going to die. Maybe it would be nice to be able to choose how ... and even maybe when ... but mostly that's not possible ...

[vonic]

Sunny,
Your right. I am not sure it is something to really worry about. And I’m sorry about your loss. I suspect, as new research has pointed out, that we are all predisposed to cancer and for each individual the trigger may be different. Therefore any ‘study’ has to be largely inconclusive unless the genetic make-up of each individual is first know-- At least in my opinion. I’ll still ask my dentist, but will skip asking my ortho as I already have a list of braces and retainer related questions for him.
In the mean time I can continue to worry about my exposure to bisphenal-A, wood smoke, nasties in processed food, my shampoo, the superfund site I grew up next to (and played in), and all of those x-rays I endured before they’d put my braces on.

[Sunny]

Good last paragraph vonic ... ;(