The link between oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites and blood pressure is stronger in people who don't have high blood pressure already.

People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have lower blood pressure, but only if they don't already have high blood pressure.

The small blood pressure increase from using the special mouthwash was similar in size to what's known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

When nitrite levels in the blood went down after using mouthwash, blood pressure went up, and this connection was strong enough to be statistically significant.

When people used the special mouthwash, their blood pressure went up but their heart rate didn't change, which suggests the effect is specific to blood pressure regulation.

When bacteria that help convert nitrate to nitrite in the mouth are reduced, blood pressure tends to go up by a small amount (2-3.5 mmHg for systolic and 2-2.2 mmHg for diastolic).