We all know mouthwashes are used to freshen breath and kill bacteria. Some have an added benefit, which means they contain fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Many mouthwashes and rinses contain another added benefit? Alcohol, to kill the germs and organisms that grow in your mouth. You need to decide if you want to use a mouthwash with alcohol and what percentage of alcohol do you want to intake just to freshen breath and kill bacteria.
Mouthwashes containing alcohol
There has been talk that alcoholic mouthwashes can contribute to oral cancer. Matter-of-fact, there are numerous studies to try to link alcoholic mouthwashes to cancer. I could not find a single study that successfully links alcoholic mouthwashes to cancer. It has also been reported that alcohol, at high concentrations as in some mouthwashes, can contribute to dry mouth, which can worsen bad breath and the growth of more bacteria.
According to the NCBI, National Center for Biotechnology Information, there have been many papers written on association between oral cancer and the use of mouthwashes containing alcohol, but I can only find one paper, supporting a link between mouthwash use and oral cancer. Most papers do not support the relationship between oral cancer and mouthwashes containing alcohol. There are also no studies supporting evidence that alcohol increases the effects of antiplaque agents in mouthwashes. So why is alcohol added to the mouthwashes? The only reason I could find for the addition of alcohol is to be used as a solvent and to preserve the mouthwash. That was difficult to find and I couldn't really find anything to back that idea up.
Mouthwashes do not cause oral cancer
In 2003, the Journal of the American Dental Association reviewed a study that it is unlikely for mouthwashes that contain alcohol to contribute to increasing the risk of oral cancer. The American Cancer Society has research that people who drink alcohol have a higher risk of cancer. In general, most people spit out the mouthwashes after swishing rather than swallowing, so little alcohol is left in the mouth to cause cancer.
A study at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, concludes that non-alcoholic mouthwash ingredients did not significantly affect the breath alcohol measurement under normal circumstances, but the use of alcoholic mouthwash use immediately prior to breath testing, as might occur in the car or workplace in a mistaken attempt to hide the smell of alcohol or other substances might significantly increase the breath alcohol measurement.ADA Seal of Acceptance
In order for a product to have the ADA Seal of Acceptance on its packaging, the product must be approved by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. The Seal and Seal statement may be used on accepted consumer products inside and outside of the U.S. if conditions have been met. The ADA Seal is owned by the American Dental Association and the use of the Seal is governed by individual contracts between the ADA and product manufacturers and/or distributors. The ADA maintains a list of ADA accepted mouthwashes which have met the ADA requirements. Some contain alcohol and some do not. Companies must reapply every five years to continue using the Seal.
The following is a list of mouthwashes and mouth rinses, but is not the total list. I am also not promoting or demoting any product because it is or is not on the list. These products may or may not have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Crest Pro-Health Rinse - Contains no alcohol
Equate® Mouthwash & Gargle -Contains 15% alcohol
Scope® White Mint Splash mouthwash - Contains 3-7% alcohol
LISTERINE® Total Care Cinnamint Mouthwash - Contains 21.6%-26.9% alcohol
Colgate® Phos Flur Anti Cavity Fluoride Rinse - Contains no alcohol
Rite-Aid Antiseptic Mouth Rinse - Contains 26.6% alcohol
Cepacol® Mouthwash - Contains 14% alcohol
PLAX® Multi-Protection Mouthwash - Contains no alcohol
ACT Restoring™ Anticavity Mouthwash - Contains 11% alcohol
ACT Cinnamon™ Rinse - Contains no alcohol
Periogard Oral Rinse- Contains 11.6% Alcohol - Prescription Only
Vi-Jon Green Antiseptic Mouthwash - Contains 18.1% alcohol
Vi-Jon Anti-Cavity Fluoride Rinse Cinnamon - Contains no alcohol
Biotene PBF Oral Rinse - Contains no alcohol
Persistant bad breath indicates Periodontal Disease
The ADA, American Dental Association, says that one of the warning signs of periodontal/gum disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, which is caused by plaque or colorless film of bacteria on the teeth. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, suggests using the term bleeding gums to avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate gum disease.So, what have people found out about mouthwashes and rinses? Do they really work in reducing bad breath? What types do you like?
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