title: Mouthwash and oral cancer risk quantitative meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of mouthwash and an increased risk of oral cancer has been a source of controversy for decades. A meta-analysis of epidemiological studies of mouthwash and oral cancer and, specifically, mouthwash containing >25% alcohol, was undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  Summary estimates were obtained with maximum likelihood estimates from random effects models. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of various inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant associations found between regular use of mouthwash and risk of oral cancer (RR=1.13; 95% CI (0.95-1.35)). There was no significant trend in risk of oral cancer associated with increased daily usage of mouthwash (p=0.11). There was no association between reported use of mouthwash specifically containing alcohol and risk of oral cancer (RR=1.16; 95% CI (0.44, 3.08)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This quantitative analysis of mouthwash use and oral malignancy revealed no statistically significant associations between mouthwash use and risk of oral cancer, nor any significant trend in risk with increasing daily use; and no association between use of mouthwash containing alcohol and oral cancer risk.
authors: European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Gandini
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Negri
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Boffetta
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: La Vecchia
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Boyle
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008954:Models, Biological; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000633:toxicity*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012306:Risk; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D000431:Ethanol