Periodontal disease and mouthwash use are risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between oral hygiene, including history of periodontal disease and mouthwash use, and risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We measured history of oral hygiene and dental care on 513 HNSCC cases and 567 controls from a population-based study of HNSCC. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). Periodontal disease was associated with a slightly elevated risk of HNSCC (OR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.02, 1.16). Using any type of mouthwash at least once per day was associated with increased risk compared to never using mouthwash (OR = 1.11, 95 % CI: 1.02, 1.20). HNSCC was associated with frequent use of non-alcoholic mouthwash compared to using any kind of mouthwash rarely or never (OR = 1.24, 95 % CI: 1.05, 1.47). Our results support an association between periodontal disease and HNSCC. Our data suggest that mouthwash use is associated with HNSCC, but we noted no difference between the effects of alcohol-containing and non-alcoholic mouthwashes.