The oral care industry has reacted angrily to claims that mouthwash can cause cancer.
A study this week in the Dental Journal of Australia claimed that using mouthwashes containing alcohol, such as Listerine, could increase the risk of oral cancer. The alcohol enabled cancer-causing substances such as nicotine to more easily enter the lining of the mouth, it said.
A Listerine spokeswoman dismissed the findings. "This small review includes only a selective group of clinical data ," she said.
A spokesman for Oral B, cited newer research that had concluded "the Australian study does not change prevailing thinking on the longstanding, safe use of mouthwashes."
Professor Robin Seymour of Newcastle upon Tyne Dental School said the brands should not be concerned, and delisting products "would be a wildly extravagant move".
A study this week in the Dental Journal of Australia claimed that using mouthwashes containing alcohol, such as Listerine, could increase the risk of oral cancer. The alcohol enabled cancer-causing substances such as nicotine to more easily enter the lining of the mouth, it said.
A Listerine spokeswoman dismissed the findings. "This small review includes only a selective group of clinical data ," she said.
A spokesman for Oral B, cited newer research that had concluded "the Australian study does not change prevailing thinking on the longstanding, safe use of mouthwashes."
Professor Robin Seymour of Newcastle upon Tyne Dental School said the brands should not be concerned, and delisting products "would be a wildly extravagant move".
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