There are many different types of oral bacteria that can convert nitrates to nitrites, and together they make up about 20% of all oral bacteria in most people.

The amount of oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites varies a lot between people, from less than 0.1% to over 85% of all oral bacteria.

Women’s mouths have bacteria that turn nitrate into something else more efficiently than men’s, whether or not they’ve taken nitrate supplements—and this isn’t because their mouth bacteria are different kinds.

People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have lower blood sugar levels.

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.

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.