Cancer fears: Dentists are advising patients against using mouthwashes containing alcohol
Mouthwashes containing alcohol may cause oral cancer and dentists should advise patients against using them, claim experts.
The alcohol is also said to cause burning, dryness and mouth pain.
Some mouthwashes are up to 26 per cent proof but the alcohol offers no benefits to consumers, according to research published in this month's British Dental Journal.
As a result dentists should recommend alcohol-free alternatives say Professor Robin Seymour and clinical lecturer Dr Carlos Werner, of Newcastle University.
Professor Seymour, a professor of restorative dentistry, said they had examined conflicting evidence from studies into the link between regular use of mouthwashes containing alcohol and oral cancer.
He said: 'The evidence shows an association that we should take seriously because oral cancer is a significant disease that has been rising over the last ten years, especially among younger people.
'My big concern is that people who smoke and drink heavily could be adding another risk factor when they use these kind of mouthwashes regularly.'
Professor Seymour said laboratory studies showed alcohol facilitated the penetration of cancer-causing substances in tobacco into the soft tissue of the mouth
'In addition to the possible risk of oral cancer, alcohol-containing mouthwashes are also reported to have other adverse effects on oral structures and functions,' he said.
Oral cancer is diagnosed in 5,000 each year and causes 1,600 deaths.
Alcohol is added to mouthwash not to destroy bacteria, but to act as a carrier agent for essential active ingredients such as menthol, eucalyptol and thymol which help to penetrate plaque.
Professor Seymour said: 'We're not against using a mouthwash, what we're saying is alternatives exist and it would be prudent for dentists to recommend using them.'
An influential review in the Dental Journal of Australia has said there was 'sufficient evidence' of the link to make them prescription only.
But the finding conflicted with a second review which said the link was 'not supported' by epidemiological evidence.
The British Dental Association's Health and Science Committee concluded in March that there was no strong evidence to prove a link between the two
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