Historical QOD 1/8/09: True or false:the use of alcohol containing mouthwash is associated with the development of oropharngeal cancer?
False. While some have posited a causal association between the use of alcohol containing mouthwash and the development of oropharyngeal cancer over the past 25 years there have been nine epidemiological studies reported on this topic. The weight of the evidence from these studies strongly suggests that the use of alcohol containing mouthwash does not increase the risk for oropharngeal cancer.
Cole P, Rodu B, Mathisen A. Alcohol-containing mouthwash and oropharyngeal cancer: a review of the epidemiology. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003 Aug;134(8):1079-87. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2003.0322. PMID: 12956348.
Contributed by: M Greenberg