Using a mouthwash is a non-negotiable part of the morning routine of so many people. The fresh and minty rinse gives a feeling of a clean and healthy mouth. However, emerging dental and medical insights suggest that your morning mouthwash habit may be silently affecting your blood pressure – but not in a good way.
A US–based dentist has warned that certain types of antibacterial mouthwash may interfere with a crucial biological process that helps regulate blood pressure naturally. In an Instagram post titled “200 million Americans use this every morning. It raises their blood pressure, and their dentist never said a word. Dr. Mark Burhenne, a renowned dentist from San Francisco with more than 40 years of experience, suggested that the pursuit of a “99.9 per cent clean” mouth may come with unintended consequences for heart health.
“It’s indiscriminate. It wipes out the nitrate-reducing bacteria your body uses to produce nitric oxide - one of the most important molecules for blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular function,” Dr Burhenne explained.
However, when you use strong antiseptic mouthwashes, they are not able to tell the difference between harmful and helpful bacteria and wipe out the good microbes responsible for this nitrate conversion. Without enough nitric oxide production, your blood vessels may struggle to relax properly, potentially leading to elevated blood pressure levels.
“A Harvard-affiliated study that followed nearly 1,000 adults over 3 years found that people who used mouthwash twice a day had a 55 per cent higher risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes. A separate study found twice-daily users had more than double the risk of developing high blood pressure. And a University of Plymouth study found mouthwash erased over 60 per cent of the blood pressure benefits of exercise — completely abolished them within 2 hours,” Dr Burhenne said.
Many clinical studies have also reported that those who use antiseptic mouthwash twice a day experience a measurable rise in blood pressure compared to those who don’t. This is particularly concerning for individuals who:
Antibacterial mouthwash may interfere with a crucial biological process that helps regulate blood pressure naturally
Many studies have been able to form a connection between your oral health, gut microbiome, and cardiovascular health. Your mouth acts as the first step in nitric oxide production, meaning oral hygiene practices can influence systemic health, including blood pressure regulation.
However, it does not mean that using a mouthwash can be harmful across the board. But overuse of alcohol-based or antibacterial mouth rinses may reduce beneficial bacteria, disrupt vascular function, and even increase hypertension risk over time.
Also read:https://www.timesnownews.com/health/ai-powered-ecg-can-detect-silent-heart-attacks-early-new-breakthrough-may-transform-cardiac-care-article-153642602
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
