When people start using mouthwash that kills mouth bacteria, their blood pressure can go up within just one day.

Scientific Claim

Antiseptic mouthwash use rapidly affects blood pressure, with increases observed within one day of disruption of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria in healthy young adults.

Original Statement

“The blood pressure effect appeared within 1 day of disruption of the oral microflora and was sustained during the 7-day mouthwash intervention.”

From study:Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study design supports temporal association claims. The language 'appears within one day' appropriately reflects the observed timing without implying causation.

More Accurate Statement

“Antiseptic mouthwash use is associated with blood pressure increases within one day of disruption of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria in healthy young adults.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2013 Feb

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

Score: 45

DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.11.013

Similar Assertions

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.

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When people used the special mouthwash, their blood pressure went up within one day and stayed higher for the whole week they used it.

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When mouth bacteria are disrupted, blood pressure goes up regardless of how it's measured - whether at the doctor's office, at home, or with a 24-hour monitor.

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Using mouthwash that kills mouth bacteria leads to higher levels of nitrate in both saliva and blood.

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The blood pressure increase from using the special mouthwash was the same whether measured at the doctor's office, at home, or with a 24-hour monitor.

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