Sanguinaria
For: Getting the Most from Mouthwash, October 2003
Q: What is sanguinaria? Should I use a mouthwash or toothpaste containing it?
A: Sanguinaria
is an herb, also called blood-root, Indian paint, and tetterwort. It
is known to combat plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth
and thus has sometimes been used to treat gingivitis and periodontal
disease. Viadent, made by Colgate, once contained sanguinaria, but a
few years ago the company removed it for reasons it has not fully explained.
Recent research suggests that long-term use of sanguinaria carries some
risks: it may promote oral leukoplakia, a potentially precancerous condition.
This condition affects up to 5% of Americans and is also linked to tobacco
use and/or heavy drinking.
However, the findings linking sanguinaria and oral leukoplakia are not
conclusive. In 1999 Canadian researchers found no support for this idea;
they were highly critical of studies that found contrary evidence. But
several studies have found increased risk. Most recently, researchers
at Ohio State University College of Dentistry found that long-term use
of Viadent toothpaste and/or mouth rinse with sanguinaria significantly
increased the risk of oral leukoplakia.
On the Internet and in stores, you can still find plenty of pastes and
rinses with sanguinaria, generally billed as "natural" and
thus—you are led to conclude—safe. "Natural" does
not equal "safe," however. Herbs are powerful, and many are
harmful. Sanguinaria also sometimes appears as an ingredient in caustic
pastes promoted as herbal treatments for skin cancer. But results can
be tragic. First of all, there are effective medical treatments for skin
cancer. Besides not curing cancer, these herbal pastes may delay proper
care and can produce scarring.
Given the red flag raised by a few studies and the wide choice of pastes
and mouth rinses without sanguinaria, we think you should avoid those
with this ingredient.
UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, April 2003
