Oral cancer retains the notoriety of being one of the most elusive diseases plaguing our planet. Given that not much has scientifically and authoritatively established about it, oral cancer remains a dumping ground for misinformation and myths.
Elusive, yes… unpopular, no. An estimated 40,000 Americans have oral cancer, with at least 15,500 deaths yearly. How about globally? An unfortunate 640,000 people are struggling with oral cancer.
The lack of clarity as to if mouthwashes cause oral cancer can be largely attributed to the conundrum in the scientific community over the relationship between oral cancer and mouthwashes.
I will tell you a bit about this “civil war” among scientists as to mouthwashes and oral cancer.
What has scientific research and findings said so far?
Since 1979, scientists have been rigorously examining the connection between oral cancer and mouthwashes. The results have not been harmonious so far.
A scientific examination of 200 patients with mouth cancer revealed that about 91% of these patients were not smokers or avid alcohol drinkers. Instead, these patients predominantly used mouthwashes with significant alcohol composition.
It doesn’t stop there. Another research published in 1991 in the Cancer Research journal showed that of 866 patients having oral (and throat) cancer, the oral cancer probability was higher 60% higher in women and 40% higher in men who frequently used mouthwashes with substantial alcohol content.