Melbourne: Australian
health experts have warned that topselling mouthwashes
can cause
oral cancer and should be pulled from supermarket shelves immediately.
can cause
oral cancer and should be pulled from supermarket shelves immediately.The experts issued the warning after investigating latest scientific evidence linking alcohol-containing mouth
washes to the
deadly disease.The investigation concludes that there is now ‘sufficient evidence’ that “alcoholcontaining mouthwashes
contribute to the increased risk of development of oral cancer”. The mouthwash contains
ethanol, which is believed to allow cancer-causing substances to permeate the
lining of the mouth more easily and cause harm. Acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct
of alcohol that may accumulate in the oral cavity when swished around the mouth,
is also believed to be carcinogenic. Listerine, the nation’s biggest-selling
mouthwash and a
brand endorsed by the Australian Dental Association,
contains as much as 26% alcohol.
contains
ethanol, which is believed to allow cancer-causing substances to permeate the
lining of the mouth more easily and cause harm. Acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct
of alcohol that may accumulate in the oral cavity when swished around the mouth,
is also believed to be carcinogenic. Listerine, the nation’s biggest-selling
mouthwash and a
brand endorsed by the Australian Dental Association,
contains as much as 26% alcohol. Lead review author Michael McCullough said alcohol-containing mouthwash
should be
reclassified as prescription-only and carry written health warnings. McCullough,
who’s also chair of the ADA’s therapeutics committee, is calling on the ADA to
urgently reassess its seal of approval on mouthwashes containing alcohol. ANI [From The Times of India, Delhi, Jan 12, 2009]
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