Can frequent mouthwash use increase tongue cancer risk?

Do you use mouthwash frequently, before meetings, before stepping out of the home, and before sleeping? Mouthwash is important for maintaining good oral hygiene. However, excessive or even mindless usage of particularly alcohol-based mouthwashes may irritate oral tissues and raise concerns about long-term oral health.

Why do doctors warn against mouthwash?

If you are opting for alcohol-based mouthwashes, you will have to be cautious. Mindless use can dry out or irritate oral tissues, making the mouth more sensitive and dry, and many will experience altered taste. Mouthwash is not directly associated with tongue cancer, and no studies support this claim, according to Cancer Research UK.

How to avoid tongue cancer?

People should be aware that factors such as tobacco use, smoking, heavy alcohol intake, poor oral hygiene, HPV infection, and untreated mouth ulcers can significantly raise the risk of oral cancer. “Those with oral wounds, gum disease, or ongoing dental problems must use mouthwash”, as recommended by the expert. So, frequent mouthwash use doesn’t raise the risk of tongue cancer. Remember that “choosing alcohol-free mouthwashes, maintaining regular dental cleaning, quitting smoking and alcohol are key to effectively preventing oral cancer” as per the expert’s recommendation.

What are the warning signs of tongue cancer?

Some key warning signs of tongue cancer include unhealed mouth ulcers, white or red patches on the tongue, difficulty swallowing, tongue swelling, difficulty speaking, or even lumps in the mouth.