A British surgeon recently discussed the risks of using certain types of mouthwash on his podcast.
Karan Rajan emphasized that individuals should avoid a specific type of mouthwash, as it could increase the likelihood of developing a particular type of cancer.
In his podcast, the NHS worker went so far as to advise people not to purchase this mouthwash and consider alternatives instead.
He also urged people to carefully read labels before purchasing any product, rather than simply picking up whatever is available.
He stated: “People shouldn’t be using alcoholic [mouthwash] if they don’t need to. We are increasingly appreciating that we have an oral microbiome, and these can be affected by alcohol.”
Explaining the reasoning behind his statement, he highlighted how alcoholic mouthwash can negatively impact the body both in the short and long term.
He explained that alcoholic mouthwashes disturb the mouth’s microbiome, which can have significant consequences for various reasons.
For example, he pointed out that many of the ‘good’ bacteria in the mouth play a crucial role in defending your teeth and gums, freshening your breath, and aiding in digestion. Alcoholic mouthwashes regularly kill these beneficial bacteria.
Unlike alcoholic beverages, mouthwashes contain a higher concentration of alcohol and are in contact with your teeth and gums for a longer period.
