Mouthwash effects on blood pressure and mouth bacteria
The comparative effect of propolis and chlorhexidine mouthwash on oral nitrite-producing bacteria and blood pressure regulation
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Chlorhexidine increased nitrite-producing bacteria but impaired their function
Most people assume more good bacteria means better health, but here more bacteria actually made the system less effective at producing nitrite.
Practical Takeaways
If you use chlorhexidine mouthwash, limit it to short-term use (2-4 weeks) as recommended by dentists, and consider switching to propolis for daily maintenance.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Chlorhexidine increased nitrite-producing bacteria but impaired their function
Most people assume more good bacteria means better health, but here more bacteria actually made the system less effective at producing nitrite.
Practical Takeaways
If you use chlorhexidine mouthwash, limit it to short-term use (2-4 weeks) as recommended by dentists, and consider switching to propolis for daily maintenance.
Publication
Journal
Journal of Oral Microbiology
Year
2024
Authors
R. Bescos, L. du Toit, Á. Redondo-Río, P. J. Warburton, T. Nicholas, M. Kiernan, R. A. Burton, L. Belfield, G. Montagut, A. Benavente, W. Vevers, T. Gabaldón, Z. Brookes, P. Casas-Agustench
Related Content
Claims (10)
Bacteria in the mouth help regulate blood pressure by converting nitrate to nitrite, which is part of the body's natural blood pressure control system.
Using a special mouthwash made from bee resin for a week can raise nitrate levels in the blood, which might help lower blood pressure.
Using a bee resin mouthwash for a week can slightly lower systolic blood pressure (by about 2 points), but it's unclear if this small change actually improves health outcomes.
Using a common antibacterial mouthwash can increase the number of certain bacteria that produce nitrite, but actually makes those bacteria less effective at producing nitrite.
Using a common antibacterial mouthwash for a week can lower nitrite levels in saliva, which might make it easier for tooth decay to develop.