The Healthy Habit That Could Raise Blood Pressure

The Healthy Habit That Could Raise Blood Pressure

Could good oral hygiene hurt your heart? Swishing mouthwash may raise your blood pressure, according to a new Swedish study. 

After 19 healthy people rinsed with an antiseptic mouthwash twice a day for a week, researchers found that their blood pressure increased 2 to 3.5 mm Hg--a bump that, if left alone, could up your risk cardiovascular disease by 7 percent, the study notes.

Antiseptic mouthwashes contain antimicrobial agents that kill oral bacteria to reduce the risk of plaque and gingivitis. But some oral bacteria are good and help form nitrites, which transform into nitric oxide--a substance that helps dilate and relax blood vessels. In the study, using mouthwash reduced nitrite production by 90 percent and nitrite levels in the blood by 25 percent. 

Here's the catch: The study used a specific type of mouthwash that contained the ingredient chlorhexidine. In the U.S., mouthwashes with that ingredient are usually prescribed by a dentist--most OTC ones don't contain it. It's not clear yet whether other, less potent antiseptic ingredients in mouthwashes have the same result.

So for now, these results don't necessarily mean you should skip mouthwash. Based on your oral history--risk of cavities and gum disease--your dentist can tell you if one is necessary to your routine, advises the American Dental Association. But if bad breath is your problem, look for a natural mouthwash or one that freshens breath only--and doesn't eliminate bacteria. 

And remember, brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing between teeth daily is still the best way to keep your mouth clean. And that can pay off for your heart: Improving gum health can slow the progression of plaque build up in your arteries, possibly because unhealthy bacteria levels contribute to harmful inflammation, according to a 2013 study in the Journal of The American Heart Association.      

 

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