Guest Peter Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Alcoholic mouthwash may be harmful - http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,...,192478,00.html February 11, 2009 ACCORDING to some reported studies overseas, mouthwash containing alcohol can be harmful.If so, why are they still available for sale in Singapore, asked some consumers.One popular mouthwash, Listerine, has a seal of approval from the Singapore Dental Association (SDA).IT consultant Mohd Isham, 38, said: 'I remember reading in the newspapers about mouthwash being linked to oral cancer. But I still see it on the shelves, and one brand being endorsed by the SDA. So is it safe or isn't it?'The SDA said it stands by its endorsement. (See report at right.)Professor Michael McCullough of University of Melbourne, who specialises in oral medicine, published a paper on the subject in the Australian Dental Journal last December.He told The New Paper on the phone last month that there was 'sufficient evidence' to support the stand that the chance of developing oral cancer is increased or contributed to by the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes.The effects were found to be worst in smokers, whose chances of acquiring cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx increased by nine times if alcoholic mouthwashes were used twice daily. This is because cancer-causing substances such as nicotine will be allowed to penetrate the mouth lining more easily.Prof McCullough said it can be worse than drinking alcohol. While that has long been established as a cancer risk, it usually does not involve gargling in the mouth.'With mouthwash, you have a higher level of alcohol and spend longer time swishing it around your mouth,' Prof McCullough said.The authors of the study recommend that mouthwash use be restricted to adults for short durations and specific, clearly defined reasons.What about non-alcoholic mouthwashes?Said Prof McCullough: 'If basic standards of oral hygiene such as tooth-brushing and use of dental floss is maintained, there should be no need for mouthwash.'And patients should be provided with written instructions on mouthwash use.'If a person is to use a mouthwash, his dentist should tell him for how long, why and whether it need be an alcoholic one,' said Prof McCullough.He also feels that mouthwashes containing alcohol should be pulled off the shelves and labelled with health warnings.In Singapore, mouthwash containing alcohol is readily available. In some cases, the alcohol content is as high as 43 per cent - which is many times the alcohol level found in most beers and wines.Not for regular useAt Specialist Dental Group, patients are not recommended to use mouthwash on a regular basis but as indicated only for their dental condition and for only a specific period of time.Examples include patients recovering from oral surgery or having other oral problems.Dr Ansgar Cheng, a consultant prosthodontist at Specialist Dental Group, said: 'If patients are required to use mouthwashes, we usually recommend that they use non alcohol-based mouthwashes.'Dr Cheng, who is also a professor at the National University of Singapore, said scientific evidence points to ethanol-based mouthwashes being not as effective in controlling dental disease as other treatment options.'There are non alcohol-based mouthwashes that are safe and work far more predictably than ethanol-based mouthwashes,' he said.A spokesman for Johnson & Johnson, makers of Listerine, which contains alcohol, dismissed the claim of alcoholic mouthwashes contributing to increased risk of oral cancer.In a report published in Daily Mail online, he said: 'This small review includes only a selective group of clinical data. Evidence from at least 10 epidemiological studies published over the last three decades strongly suggests that use of alcohol-containing rinses does not increase the risk of oral cancer.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gargle Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Like that, what to use after giving blow job huh. I always complain the sauna dilute the garlge with too much water, so it is better huh ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Use OralB lor. No alcoholic content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Like that, what to use after giving blow job huh. I always complain the sauna dilute the garlge with too much water, so it is better huh ?i always dilute my mouth wash w water...coz if not the pure stuff hurts my teeth and make my gum feels rough (like swimming in chlorine water for too long, the skin becomes rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reflection Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 A study is meaningless if it has not be reviewed by peers and critiqued for its strength and weakness..... Read the weakness as reported: 'This small review includes only a selective group of clinical data. Evidence from at least 10 epidemiological studies published over the last three decades strongly suggests that use of alcohol-containing rinses does not increase the risk of oral cancer."Hence, this study is still not conclusive. However, if one is worried, then use non-alchoholic mouthwash lor... z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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