Your Mouthwash Might Be Killing More Than Bad Breath

What if your daily habit of swishing mouthwash is quietly sabotaging your health? While mouthwash promises fresh breath and cavity protection, research reveals a darker side: it may be hurting your heart health. Let’s dive into the science behind this surprising connection and explore safer alternatives to protect your oral and overall health.

Key Takeaways

• Oral Bacteria and Health: Beneficial oral bacteria play a critical role in maintaining blood pressure and preventing diabetes by producing nitric oxide, which supports vascular health.
• Exercise and Mouthwash: Using mouthwash before exercise can block any cardiovascular benefits you’d receive by reducing nitric oxide levels.
• Safer Alternatives Exist: Avoid mouthwashes with Triclosan, chlorhexidine, and alcohol. Opt for natural options like matcha, propolis, and aloe vera to protect oral health without disrupting beneficial bacteria.

Why Swishing Mouthwash Could Derail Your Health

Most people in the U.S. use some mouthwash to cleanse their mouths every day, killing off oral bacteria to improve their breath, protect their teeth from cavities, and defend their gums from infection.

However, many of those estimated 200 million daily mouthwash-users may be making a terrible health mistake. A growing chorus of medical researchers is warning that when mouthwash kills off bacteria in your mouth, it can cause serious side effects that could affect your long-term health.

It turns out that many of the bacteria that dwell in your mouth, and which perish when you use mouthwash, are beneficial bacteria similar to probiotics that help do things like control your blood pressure and keep your blood sugar down. It’s also been shown that if you use mouthwash right before exercising, you may negate exercise’s health benefits.

But there’s good news, too— not all mouthwash seems equally harmful.

Beneficial Bacteria and Blood Pressure

Many of the bacteria that live on your teeth and gums release substances into the body that help to keep your blood pressure down.

And when a Harvard three-year study that involved more than 500 people aged 40 to 65 analyzed the use of mouthwash and risk of high blood pressure, it showed that rinsing your mouth was linked to a significantly increased chance of hypertension.

In the research, people who used mouthwash twice a day had a higher risk of hypertension than those who used it less than that. And the twice-a-day mouthwash users had an 85% higher risk of high blood pressure than folks who did not use mouthwash at all.1

Research has found that this blood pressure lowering effect is connected to the fact that the bacteria help make nitric oxide – a compound used by the body to keep arteries functioning properly and blood pressure down.

Various studies demonstrate that nitric oxide is a messenger molecule. Along with keeping blood pressure under control, it also helps with ensuring immune cells function effectively, controlling inflammation, and preventing problematic blood clots that can block blood flow.2 In addition, studies also show that frequent use of mouthwash may increase your risk of blood sugar issues and type-2 diabetes.3

Warning: Don’t Use Mouthwash Before You Exercise

If you use mouthwash, one terrible time to use it is before a workout. Many researchers now warn that over-the-counter mouthwash use before exercise can cancel out some of the most essential health benefits that physical activity can give you.

A study at the University of Plymouth in England found that while exercise usually opens up your blood vessels and lowers blood pressure (while producing other heart benefits), using an anti-bacterial mouthwash before running on a treadmill lowered the blood pressure reducing effects of exercise by 60% in the first hour after finishing a half hour on the treadmill. Two hours after getting off the treadmill, the blood pressure benefits of exercise were completely gone.4

The Safest Mouthwash To Use

If you want to use mouthwash and not sacrifice your health, researchers have a few guidelines to follow:

• Never use a mouthwash that contains the anti-bacterial compound Triclosan. If you have pathogenic bacteria in your body, Triclosan can help them become antibiotic-resistant. So, if you need to be treated with these drugs, it will be harder to find one that is effective. Triclosan also wipes out beneficial bacteria that provide health benefits like lower blood pressure.
• Don’t use mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine. Another anti-bacterial compound, chlorhexidine, wipes out beneficial bacteria in the mouth and increases your saliva’s acidity, making you more likely to suffer tooth damage.5 If your mouthwash contains alcohol, it will also increase the acidity of your saliva and may damage your teeth.

Instead, try a natural mouthwash that contains substances such as:6

• Matcha: Matcha has been shown to help fight gum disease. Studies show that matcha, a fine green tea powder, can reduce the number of gum-attacking bacteria on your gums.7
• Propolis: Propolis may help fight plaque on teeth and lower the risk of gingivitis. Bees produce propolis in their hives. It is reported to help fight inflammation and pathogenic bacteria.
• Aloe vera and tea tree oil: This duo has been reported to lower acidity in the mouth (which supports better tooth health) while reducing plaque and gingivitis.

You can also try povidone-iodine mouthwash or one with essential oil, both of which researchers in Asia recommend.8 Whatever you choose, be sure to make your dental health a priority. The latest research links poor dental hygiene to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.

Summary

While mouthwash is a staple for many, studies show it may harm your health by killing beneficial oral bacteria that help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and nitric oxide production. Research links frequent mouthwash use to a higher risk of hypertension and diminished cardiovascular benefits from exercise. To maintain a healthy balance, avoid mouthwashes with harmful ingredients like Triclosan and chlorhexidine and consider natural alternatives containing matcha, propolis, aloe vera, or tea tree oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is mouthwash linked to high blood pressure? Mouthwash kills beneficial oral bacteria that produce nitric oxide, a compound critical for maintaining healthy blood pressure.
• How does mouthwash affect exercise benefits? Using antibacterial mouthwash before exercise reduces nitric oxide production, diminishing exercise’s blood pressure-lowering effects.
• What ingredients should I avoid in mouthwash? Avoid mouthwashes containing Triclosan, chlorhexidine, and alcohol, as these can harm beneficial bacteria and damage teeth.
• What are safer alternatives to conventional mouthwash? Natural options like matcha, propolis, aloe vera, and tea tree oil support oral health without disrupting beneficial bacteria.
• Is brushing better than using mouthwash? Brushing your teeth regularly is a safer and more effective way to maintain oral health compared to frequent mouthwash use.