DO YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Persistently high blood pressure is like running your plumbing at a constant high pressure and puts you at risk of heart problems, brain fog, cognitive decline and vision issues to name just a few cheery things.
BUT I DOUBT ANYONE HAS EVER TOLD YOU TO STOP USING MOUTHWASH?
Er, what?
Yes. Mouthwash. Typical supermarket brands like Colgate Plax, Listerine or Corsdyl that you thought were a good idea and giving you sparkly teeth and fresh breath.
WHY??
Your mouth has a microbiome just as your gut does.
A healthy mouth is full of friendly bacteria that carry out various functions for us to keep us well. But this goes beyond oral health.
There are bacteria in your mouth that help you make nitric oxide - a crucial gas which the body makes to regulate blood flow, blood pressure and the delivery of oxygen to your tissues.
These clever little bugs convert nitrate from foods that you eat into nitric oxide.
Mouthwash wipes out these helpful bacteria, reducing nitric oxide levels and contributing to blood pressure rising.
Not only that, most shop-bought mouthwash brands can't discriminate between the mouth bugs we want and the ones we don't.
When less beneficial bacteria are allowed to survive, room is left for the pesky ones that contribute to gum disease and inflammation that doesn't just stay in the mouth... further increasing inflammatory processes in the body which can contribute to high blood pressure.
The loss of beneficial oral bacteria has also been associated with metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance - again, a potential contributor to high blood pressure.
SO WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
A good brushing, flossing and interdental brush routine twice a day should be enough for great oral hygiene.
If you miss your mouthwash habit there are more gentle, microbiome-boosting brands on the market such as Truthpaste and Invivo.
TALK TO ME
I have supported many clients to reduce their blood pressure using dietary and lifestyle changes. There are so many things you can do, including getting rid of the mouthwash.
Get in touch for a free chat to find out more about how I can help you.
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