Study in Journal of Medical Microbiology finds daily use of alcohol-based mouthwash increases opportunistic bacteria linked to gum disease and some cancers.

Alcohol-based mouthwash may harm oral health, raising risks of periodontal diseases and some cancers, according to a study in the Journal of Medical Microbiology. Researchers from Belgium's Institute of Tropical Medicine found that daily use of alcohol-based mouthwash increased levels of two opportunistic bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus, in the mouth. These bacteria are linked to gum disease and cancers including esophageal and colorectal cancers.