Why your morning mouthwash could be raising your blood pressure

For decades, the minty sting of mouthwash has been marketed as the gold standard of cleanliness.

However, Dr Mark Burhenne, a dentist with 40 years of experience, is urging people to rethink this daily ritual.

In a stark warning shared on Thursday, he explained that antibacterial rinses are "indiscriminate" killers that destroy the very bacteria our bodies need to function correctly.

The issue lies in the mouth’s microbiome. Essential bacteria produce nitric oxide, a molecule vital for regulating blood pressure and insulin sensitivity.

“Listerine kills 99 percent of bacteria — and that’s the problem. It’s indiscriminate. It wipes out the nitrate-reducing bacteria your body uses to produce nitric oxide — one of the most important molecules for blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular function,” Dr Burhenne shared.

He noted that nearly 200 million Americans use these products, unaware of the potential systemic damage.

The statistics are alarming. Dr Burhenne cited a Harvard-affiliated study showing that twice-daily mouthwash users face a 55 percent higher risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes.

Furthermore, a University of Plymouth study found that mouthwash "erased over 60 percent of the blood pressure benefits of exercise — completely abolished them within 2 hours."

Dr Burhenne criticised the dental industry's silence on the matter, suggesting that by striving for a sterile mouth, we might be trading fresh breath for chronic illness.

His message is clear: a balanced oral biome is far more important for long-term health than a completely germ-free one.

This article is intended solely for informational purposes and not as a replacement for professional medical advice.