CDA Essentials 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 2

25 Issue 2 | 2018 | N ews and E vents Mouthwash and mouthrinses have become part of many Canadians’ oral care routine, as the use of these products can help prevent gingivitis, halitosis and dental caries. Most over-the-counter mouthwash products contain antibacterial ingredients, such as chlorhexidine, and are often advertised to kill 99.9% of the germs in the mouth. Recent studies examined the effect of these ingredients on some oral bacteria that are essential to our systemic health. A recent longitudinal study published in the journal Nitric Oxide suggests that using over-the-counter mouthwash more than twice a day may increase the risk of developing pre-diabetes/diabetes in high-risk populations. 1 CDA talked to one of the study authors, Dr. Kaumudi Joshipura, professor of epidemiology at the University of Puerto Rico and adjunct professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, to discuss these initial findings. Kaumudi Joshipura BDS, CDPH, ScD Could frequent mouthwash use pose a long-term health risk? Mouthwash and Diabetes kjoshipu@hsph. harvard.edu