One quarter of people in the UK use mouthwash daily. With an additional 20% of the population using it every few days.
Mouthwash by its nature is antibacterial, with many users wanting to kill the bacteria in the mouth that contributes to ‘bad breath’. However the ingredients used do not discriminate – does eradicating odour causing bacteria have a negative effect on our gut microbiome?
The short answer is yes, through two main pathways:
1 – The mouth is the first stage of our digestive system. There are some studies that have investigated how disruptions to our oral microbiome can negatively affect our gut microbiome.
2 – Even after an oral rinse, ingredients such as chlorhexidine, triclosan and ethanol (alcohol) can find their way into our digestive system.
Summarised below are five potential negative impacts of regular mouthwash use on our gut.
- Reduction of Beneficial Oral Bacteria: Antibacterial mouthwashes, especially those containing chlorhexidine, can indiscriminately kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria in the mouth. This disruption may lead to an imbalance in the oral microbiome, which can influence the gut microbiome due to the links between these microbial communities.
- Alteration of Gut Microbiota Composition: Studies in mice have shown that chlorhexidine mouthwash can significantly alter the composition of gut microbiota, reducing both the quantity and diversity of gut bacteria. Such changes are with dysbiosis, or gut microbiome imbalances.
- Reduced Nutrient Absorption: The same studies indicate that changes in the gut microbiome due to mouthwash use can lead to reduced absorption of important nutrients, potentially causing nutrient deficiencies over time.
- Disruption of Nitric Oxide Production: Certain oral bacteria are essential for converting dietary nitrates into nitric oxide, a molecule important for both cardiovascular and gut health. Antibacterial mouthwash can disrupt this process.
- Increased Risk of Dysbiosis: The imbalance caused by the reduction of beneficial bacteria can lead to dysbiosis, a condition characterised by microbial imbalance. This state is linked to various health issues, including digestive problems and systemic inflammation.
More natural alternatives
There has been a rise in popularity of more natural alternatives to traditional mouthwash. Such products utlise essential oils such as tea tree, clove, and eucalyptus.
Aloe Vera is also used to soothe gums and for its antimicrobial effects.
Some experts recommend the use of ‘swilling’ with salt water as a simple remedy to reduce inflammation and fight bacteria.
Herbal extracts like peppermint appear to have natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
