A new study warns that mouthwash containing alcohol can increase dangerous bacteria in the mouth, leading to esophageal and intestinal cancer.
The researchers discovered that two types of bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus, were more abundant in the mouth after 3 months of daily use of alcohol-containing mouthwash.
The research team from the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium, noticed a decrease in a group of bacteria called actinobacteria, which mainly contribute to regulating blood pressure.
“Alcohol-based mouthwashes are widely available,” said Dr. Jolene Lommen, first author of the study and a researcher in ITM’s Sexually Transmitted Diseases Unit. “People may use them daily to get rid of bad breath or prevent gingivitis, but they should be on the safe side. Be aware of the potential effects.
While the findings link daily use of alcohol-containing mouthwash to changes in the oral microbiome, the researchers said they were hesitant to draw substantive conclusions from the data.
The study was published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.
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