Rats using the special mouthwash had more good bacteria in their mouths that help convert nitrate to nitric oxide, compared to rats using regular mouthwash.

Rats using the special mouthwash had a different mix of mouth bacteria compared to rats using regular mouthwash, showing that the type of mouthwash affects the overall bacterial community in the mouth.

A special mouthwash with nitrate and antioxidants made rats' blood nitrate levels jump 32 times higher than regular mouthwash after one week, which might help their heart health.

The special mouthwash made rats' saliva have 5.7 times more nitrate and 6.3 times more nitrite than regular mouthwash, which helps the body's natural blood pressure regulation system.

Rats using regular antibacterial mouthwash had fewer types of bacteria in their mouths compared to rats using the special nitrate mouthwash, showing how antibacterial products might reduce microbial diversity.

Good bacteria in the mouth turn nitrate into nitrite, and when you kill these bacteria with mouthwash, this conversion stops almost completely.