Is frequent mouthwash use linked to oral cancer?

Conclusion This multicentre study conducted across nine European countries has many strengths, including its large sample size. Most importantly, it adjusted for smoking and alcohol consumption, which are well-established risk factors for these cancers and could otherwise influence the association between oral health and dental hygiene and these cancers. The researchers also adjusted for other potential risk factors, such as socioeconomic status and how much fruit and vegetables people ate. However, there are some potential limitations. Although the researchers have made every effort to adjust for these confounders, as the researchers themselves acknowledge, the questions asked about these lifestyle factors may not fully capture a person's smoking habits, alcohol use and diet, so there is still the possibility that they have some effect. Also, the questions asked around oral health and dental hygiene may not have given a full representation of the person's mouth care. These self-reported measures were not checked against dental records. The study asked people to rate their current oral health and dental hygiene, and in the people with cancer this was after their diagnosis. This may not reflect their lifelong oral health or care before their diagnosis. An independent assessment provided by a dentist, or examination of dental records, may have been more reliable. Nevertheless, the study does support an independent link between oral health and dental hygiene and aerodigestive ...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer Source Type: news