People use mouthwash to reduce tendencies of bad breath. Moreover, mouthwash has some properties which kill known bacteria residing in the mouth. It is one effective way to rinse the mouth and therefore, it promotes good oral hygiene. Twenty five percent of the Americans have halitosis, a chronic bad breath. About seventy percent suffers from periodontal disease which includes periodontitis and gingivitis. Therefore majority of the population found the release of mouthwash in the market very helpful. Aside from the mouthwash’s chief task to cleanse the mouth off any accumulating bacteria, it helps with their social activities. There are times bad breath tends to stop people from talking to others. But with the help of mouthwash, people tend to be more confident while interacting with others.
Mouthwash ingredients include thymol, eucalyptol, hexetidine, methyl salicylate, menthol, chlorhexedine gluconate, benzalkolnium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, methylparaben, hydrogen peroxide, domiphen bromide, fluoride, enzymes and calcium. There are also water sweeteners such as sorbitol, sucralose, sodium saccharine and xylitol. Some mouthwash has alcohol which takes up to 27% vol. The alcohol content gives an antibacterial effect. According to research, alcohol causes mouth to be dry. It also aggravates the condition of chronic bad breath. It decreases saliva, which naturally makes breath fresh.
A researcher from the Dental Journal of Australia published a report linking mouthwash to oral cancer. It concludes that there is enough proof that alcohol-based mouthwash increases the chance of having an oral cancer. Alcohol based mouthwash has acetaldehyde as its by-product. As Acetaldehyde is produced, it builds up in the oral cavity. The researcher believes it is carcinogenic, thus causing cancer. (more…)
Leukoplakia is a condition in which difficult to remove thick, white patches appear in the mouth on the inner cheeks, bottom of the mouth, gums or on the tongue. While most patches are benign, it is considered a pre-cancerous condition since approximately 3% of patches do show early signs of cancer. In many cases, oral cancers appear near patches.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of oral cancer. Left untreated, it can have destructive effects on the surrounding tissue. Aggressive forms may also spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body.
While the exact cause of this condition is unknown, it is believed that mouth irritation from ill-fitting dentures or rough teeth, use of tobacco and poor oral hygiene are to blame. It is most common in the elderly population with over 95% of oral cancers appearing in those over forty. However, there is a variation that occurs in HIV positive patients, individuals with Epstein-Barr virus, and those with compromised immune systems, such as those taking immuno-suppressants after a transplant. (more…)
Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore that does not go away. Oral cancer — which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheek, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat) — can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.
The term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx, part of the throat. About two-thirds of oral cancers occur in the mouth and about one-third are found in the pharynx. Oral cancer will be diagnosed in an estimated 28,000 Americans this year and will cause approximately 7,000 deaths. It is the 6th most common cancer in men and the 14th most common cancer in women.
Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur. The 5-year survival rate for these cancers is only about 50 percent. Mortality from oral cancer is nearly twice as high in some minorities (especially black males) as it is in whites. (more…)
