Discover whether mouthwash can cause high blood pressure, based on recent research, according to medical experts.
Turns out, regular use of mouthwash might have some unexpected side effects, likeraising your blood pressure.
What does the current research say?
A couple of studies have reported a link between mouthwash and high blood pressure.
So, whats the connection?
As a result, this can potentially affect your blood pressure.
sports cardiologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
On the other hand, some studies have not found a connection at all.
Are certain people more at risk?
Dr. Higgins says certain people are more at risk of developing high blood pressure from mouthwash use.
This includes people with a family history of heart problems or with current hypertension or diabetes.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
No, you dont have to pour your mouthwash down the drain just yet, Dr. Higgins says.
For now, limit the use of antiseptic mouthwashes, Dr. Higgins says.
And keep in mind: there are several other possible reasons why your blood pressure reading may be high.
Just be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new vitamins or supplements.
sports cardiologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Are certain types of mouthwash safer?
A clean mouth isnt just about having fresh, minty breath.
Goodoral hygieneis important forheart health, too.
So, if mouthwash is part of your routine, you dont have to skip the swish-and-swirl altogether.
Instead, try natural mouthwashes that are not bactericidal, Dr. Higgins says.
Unlike antiseptic mouthwashes, natural rinses dont eradicate oralbacterial floraor mess with your nitric oxide production.
In other words, they shouldnt affect your blood pressure.
Okay, so what ingredients should you look for?
They can point you in the right direction.
Joshipura, Kaumudi et al.
Over-the-counter mouthwash use, nitric oxide and hypertension risk.Blood pressurevol.
29,2 (2020): 103-112. doi:10.1080/08037051.2019.1680270
Bondonno, Catherine P et al.
Antibacterial mouthwash blunts oral nitrate reduction and increases blood pressure in treated hypertensive men and women.American journal of hypertensionvol.
28,5 (2015): 572-5. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpu192
Deo, Priya Nimish, and Revati Deshmukh.
Oral microbiome: Unveiling the fundamentals.Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFPvol.
23,1 (2019): 122-128. doi:10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_304_18
Ashworth, Ann et al.
138 (2019): 63-72. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.05.010
Sundqvist, Michaela L et al.
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