Does Listerine Mouthwash Cause Cancer?
Mouthwash is a staple in many of our routines. It leaves our breath feeling fresh and gives us that clean, minty tingle that feels like you've just walked out of the dentist’s office.
Among the many brands, Listerine mouthwash stands out as one of the most well-known and best mouthwash brands. However, recent conversations have raised concerns about whether Listerine – or mouthwash in general – could be linked to cancer risk. Sounds a bit alarming, doesn’t it?
Is mouthwash bad for you? Together, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in Listerine, explore a recent study, and check in with what the experts are saying about the potential risks and benefits.
Cancer and Listerine Mouthwash | The Link
To understand why there might be concerns, we need to look at what’s in Listerine. The ingredients vary depending on the specific type (like Listerine Total Care or Listerine Cool Mint), but the main active ingredients usually are:
Eucalyptol
Menthol
Methyl Salicylate
Thymol
These essential oils have antibacterial properties that help reduce the buildup of plaque and prevent gum disease. But, why does mouthwash burn?
Well, in addition to these essential oils, Listerine products also contain alcohol, which helps dissolve the oils and makes the mouthwash more effective at killing germs. And here's where it gets interesting: the alcohol content in Listerine can be quite high – typically around 26.9%.
The concern primarily stems from this high alcohol content. Alcohol is a known irritant, and long-term exposure to high concentrations of it has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancers, particularly in people who drink heavily.
What’s the Cancer Connection?
The alcohol issue aside, most of the recent buzz stems from a study on the oral microbiome – the tiny bacteria and organisms living in our mouths.
This study re-examined data from an earlier trial involving gay men who were prescribed PrEP (a medication that might help prevent HIV). The participants either used Listerine Cool Mint or a placebo.
The new study looked at data drawn from a smaller group of 59 men, taken from a much larger trial, and compared the before and after effects on their oral microbiome – some having used Listerine, others a placebo. After three months, they noticed some changes, specifically an increase in two different types of bacteria.
So, what’s the link to cancer? There’s prior research that suggests a connection between the bacteria that changed, such as Streptococcus anginosus, and certain types of oral cancer.
When the researchers touched on this with their findings, the media quickly sensationalized a link between mouthwash and cancer. Yet, the connection is pretty shaky.
Sure, it’s possible that mouthwash can increase certain bacteria, which might lead to chronic problems that could eventually result in cancer. But, right now, it’s just a theory. Plus, it’s a stretch to take a study of 59 men on preventative HIV meds and assume the results apply to everyone.
What’s the Verdict?
In the end, this new research isn’t all that convincing and doesn’t tell us anything new about Listerine mouthwash and cancer.
Since there weren’t any discernable differences between those who used Listerine vs. those who took the placebo, it’s pretty safe to say Listerine probably doesn’t have any negative effects on your oral microbiome.
If you enjoy using mouthwash, there’s no reason to stop, based on this study. But, if you’re concerned about oral cancer, you could always switch to an alcohol-free mouthwash option just to be safe.
For more health-related buzz, keep coming back to our site! With our finger on the pulse, we do everything we can to help you stay informed about the most important thing in your life – your health.