Source: Listerine Professional
Alcohol in Mouthwash Safety vs Alcohol in Beverages
When it comes to alcohol in mouthwash safety, understanding the difference between alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing mouthrinses is essential:
| Alcoholic Beverages | Alcohol-Containing Mouthrinses | |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Consumed | Spit out after rinsing |
| Exposure Risk | High with excessive intake | Minimal when used properly |
| Alcohol Quality | May include harmful contaminants | Uses pharmaceutical-grade ethanol |
Drinking alcohol is linked to cancer risk due to overuse and contaminants. However, alcohol in mouthwash is not swallowed and involves only purified alcohol, making it safe for regular use.
Alcohol in Mouthwash Safety Proven Through Research
LISTERINE® Antiseptic is the most tested over-the-counter mouthrinse globally. More than 30 long-term clinical trials have examined alcohol in mouthwash safety and confirmed its effectiveness.
Over the past 40 years, these studies have shown:
- Alcohol-based mouthrinses do not increase oral cancer risk
- They don’t worsen symptoms of dry mouth
- Most users tolerate them well—even those with dry mouth conditions
Clinical Research Supports Mouthwash Safety
On Dry Mouth
- Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome used LISTERINE® 3x daily for two weeks without increased oral dryness (Fischman SL et al.)
- A two-week pilot study found no difference in salivary flow or dry mouth between alcohol-based and alcohol-free rinses (Kerr AR et al.)
- Alcohol-based rinses were no more drying than CPC rinses (Kerr AR et al.)
On Oral Cancer Risk
- A systematic review found no evidence linking alcohol-containing mouthwashes to oral cancer (Aceves Argemí R et al.)
- A meta-analysis of 12 studies found no significant association (IARC)
- The FDA Subcommittee found no causal link between alcohol in mouthwash and cancer
- A review of 9 case-control studies confirmed no increased risk (Cole P et al., JADA)
- Other critical reviews (La Vecchia et al., Boyle et al.) concluded that epidemiological evidence does not support a link
Final Verdict: Alcohol in Mouthwash Is Safe
There is strong, consistent evidence confirming alcohol in mouthwash safety. These products are formulated to be spit out—not swallowed—and use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
If you’re concerned about the alcohol in your mouthwash, the science is clear: it’s safe. You can feel confident using it as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.