ALCOHOL CONTENT OF PROPRIETARY MOUTHWASHES

The use of mouthwashes with high ethanol content has been linked to ex cess risks of mouth cancer, as have prolonged and frequent use of mout hwashes with lower ethanol contents. Twenty two proprietary mouthwashe s available without prescription in Ireland were analysed by gas chrom atography and their ethanol contents (w/v) at manufacturers' recommend ed dilutions for use were calculated. The ethanol contents of diluted mouthwashes ranged from <0.01 - 23.40% w/v. 27% had ethanol contents > 10% w/v; 9% had ethanol contents >20% w/v. As the use of the higher et hanol content mouthwashes may be a possible risk factor for oral cance r in frequent or constant users, we believe that the attention of the statutory regulatory authorities should be drawn to this situation.