Elmore JG, Horwitz RI (1995)

ORAL CANCER AND MOUTHWASH USE: EVALUATION OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE¹

Objective
To review the methodologies and results of seven published epidemiological studies that discuss the possible association between mouthrinse use and oral cancer.

Methods
The studies were independently reviewed, and specific criteria were applied to assess issues in the designs, analyses, and results of the studies.

Results
There was a lack of consistency across the studies. Some studies suggested a possible association between mouthrinse use and oral cancer while others suggested no association or that mouthrinse use may have a protective effect. However, according to the authors, few of the studies were of acceptable quality in terms of methodology.

Smoking and alcoholic beverage consumption are two known risk factors for oral cancer. In the subset of patients who did not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages and used mouthrinse, there was no elevated risk of oral cancer. (Note: if there were a causal effect, the association with mouthrinse use would have been strongest in this group.)

Conclusion
We conclude that a rigorous methodologic review and analysis of the available evidence do not support a causal association between mouthwash use and risk of oral cancer.

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REFERENCES

1. Elmore JG, Horwitz RI. Oral cancer and mouthwash use: evaluation of the epidemiologic evidence. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;113:253-261.