A leading cardiovascular surgeon has warned against the use of alcohol-based mouthwash, claiming it can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified heart surgeon known for his outspoken health advice, said he avoids mouthwash entirely for two key reasons.
In a social media video, Dr London explained that mouthwash kills healthy bacteria in the mouth, disrupting the oral microbiome. More concerningly, he noted that these bacteria help produce nitric oxide, a compound that dilates blood vessels and regulates blood pressure. By destroying them, mouthwash can interfere with this process and potentially cause hypertension.
Dr London elaborated in an interview with NBC's Today programme: 'You can actually increase your blood pressure simply by killing the bacteria in the mouth. And if you have a propensity to having high blood pressure, that can even be worse.' He also highlighted that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.
His claims are supported by research. A study published in the Blood Pressure journal involving over 1,000 participants found that frequent use of over-the-counter mouthwash was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Another study in Science Direct described 'unequivocal evidence' that mouthwash disrupts nitric oxide production and negatively impacts blood pressure.
Dr Kami Hoss, a dentist, echoed the concerns, comparing the use of antiseptic mouthwash to 'throwing acid and weed killer' in a garden. He warned that sterilising the mouth kills beneficial bacteria and leaves only the most resistant microbes, disrupting the oral microbiome's balance.
