Can Use of Mouthwash Daily Cause Multiple Cancers? Here’s What The New Study Claims

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A scientist has raised concerns about a widely-used mouthwash brand, suggesting its daily use 'could increase the risk of cancer' and advising 'most people should not be using it.' Researchers from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, found a rise in two specific bacteria species after three months of daily mouthwash use.

Using Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash daily could heighten the risk of esophageal and colorectal cancer, according to a new scientific study. The researchers identified two bacteria species, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus, both linked to cancer, becoming more prevalent in the mouth with daily use. The alcohol in the mouthwash might boost the bacteria levels, as per the researchers.

Professor Chris Kenyon, who led the study, told the Daily Telegraph that using the mouthwash 'could increase their risk of cancer and various infections.' He advised, 'Most people should not be using it and if they do use it, they should use the preparations without alcohol and limit the use to a couple of days.' The research involved 59 participants who used Listerine daily for three months, followed by three months of placebo mouthwash or vice versa.

Kenyon and his team made these findings while examining daily mouthwash use's impact on STI risk among gay men. Though the study focused on Listerine, Professor Kenyon pointed out that similar bacteria levels are likely with other alcohol-based mouthwashes. The scientists noticed that the bacterial species were more abundant in participants' mouths after three months of daily use.

In a statement, Kenvue, the owner of the Listerine brand, responded to the study, saying: 'Studies on the impact of Listerine on oral health have been published in hundreds of peer-reviewed publications for more than a century, making it one of the most extensively tested oral mouthwash brands in the world. We continuously evaluate the latest science. There is no evidence that Listerine causes cancer.'

The findings highlight potential risks associated with alcohol-based mouthwashes, prompting calls for people to reconsider their daily use. While further research is needed to fully understand these implications, this study underscores the importance of being informed about the products we use regularly.