Mouthwash is a bathroom staple in many households, but risks tied to these minty antimicrobials could do more harm than good—harm that extends beyond a person’s pearly whites, according to a new comprehensive study.
While the number of ingredients and their concentrations vary among mouthwash brands, scientists have concluded that some ingredients in these oral hygiene products are linked to side effects ranging from minor skin irritation and headaches to life-threatening conditions like heart problems and cancer.
Researchers in Turkey examined 45 mouthwash formulas used by 17 commercial brands found in the five largest chain stores in Istanbul.
They found 31 out of the 45 formulas (over 68 percent) contained glycerin, associated with kidney and liver deterioration, 29 (over 64 percent) included the known carcinogen sodium saccharin, and 28 (about 62 percent) contained propylene glycol—a chemical linked to organ failure when used in large doses.
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