Scientists Told About The Potentially Dangerous Mouthwash

2023 Author: Abraham Higgins | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 23:16

Scientists told about the potentially dangerous mouthwash

The use of antiseptic mouth rinses leads to a violation of the composition of the microbiota, an increase in acidity in the oral cavity and some other changes in the body. Scientists speculate that this could be hazardous to health. But the existing evidence does not allow us to state that these hygiene products cannot be used.

Photo: Colin Knowles / CC BY-SA 2.0 /

The use of antiseptic mouth rinses leads to a violation of the composition of the microbiota, an increase in acidity in the oral cavity and some other changes in the body. Scientists speculate that this could be hazardous to health. But the existing evidence does not allow us to state that these hygiene products cannot be used. The new study has been published in Scientific Reports.

Scientists have observed how the ratio of microorganisms that live in the oral cavity (microbiota) for a long time will change under the influence of a rinse with chlorhexidine. The study involved 36 people: half of them used a mouthwash with an antiseptic, the other a placebo. The observations continued for a week.

Chlorhexidine significantly reduced the diversity of the oral microbiota. In particular, the number of bacteria of the genera Neisseria, Streptococcus and Granulicatella increased, while Actinomyces decreased.

A more interesting finding was that the mouthwash reduced the production of nitric oxide in the body. This substance plays an important role in vascular health. Earlier research has shown that regular use of antiseptic mouth rinses can make exercise less beneficial precisely because of the reduced nitric oxide levels.

The pH level in the mouth of people who used the antiseptic dropped, that is, the acidity increased. Scientists note that an increase in acidity is associated with tooth demineralization and the risk of tooth decay.

“In the past, we have grossly underestimated the complexity and importance of the oral microbiome. The usual view was that bacteria are harmful and cause disease. We now know that most bacteria - both in the gut and in the mouth - are essential to good health,”said Louise Belfield, study co-author.

Scientists speculate that mouth rinses may be useful in treating conditions in which the saliva's reaction becomes more alkaline, such as gingivitis. There is no strong evidence yet that people should stop using these hygiene products.