Using mouthwash that kills mouth bacteria might be bad for heart health because it raises blood pressure by disrupting the body's natural nitrite balance.
Scientific Claim
Antiseptic mouthwash use may have adverse cardiovascular effects by disturbing nitrite homeostasis in healthy young adults, as evidenced by the blood pressure increases observed following disruption of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria.
Original Statement
“Our data further suggest that disturbances in nitrite homeostasis (herein achieved via interruption of nitrate reduction in the oral cavity by commercial mouthwash use) have small, yet potentially important, implications for cardiovascular health.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study design (short-term, small sample) cannot support claims about 'adverse cardiovascular effects' or 'potential important implications for cardiovascular health' as these require long-term studies. The language implies consequences beyond what was measured.
More Accurate Statement
“Antiseptic mouthwash use is associated with blood pressure increases in healthy young adults, which may have implications for cardiovascular health, though long-term effects are unknown.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control