Scientists advise replacing mouthwash with this juice: kills bacteria

But there are better care options

Experts recommended that people rinse their mouths with beetroot juice instead of special mouthwashes. Scientists explained this by the fact that the root vegetable contains nitrate, which is more beneficial for oral health.

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Almost everyone uses special mouth rinses to freshen their breath or get rid of bacteria, in some cases used to treat gums. However, most of these products contain fluoride, which kills germs. Mouth rinses have side effects, including dry mouth and antimicrobial resistance.

Research has shown that nitrates found in green leafy vegetables have fewer side effects and are more beneficial for oral health.

Scientists at the University of the West of Scotland studied competitive athletes who were prone to gum disease due to high levels of sugar consumption (many people use energy gels during workouts, which are essentially pure sugar).

The experiment showed that beet juice (containing approximately 12 millimoles of nitrates) protected athletes' teeth from acidic sports drinks and energy gels during exercise. This suggests that nitrates could be used as a treatment for athletes to reduce the likelihood of tooth decay.

However, using it as a replacement for mouthwash may not be a good idea, since the juice can stain teeth. Leafy greens (such as spinach and kale) may be a better option because they are less likely to stain your teeth.

The benefit of these foods comes from the nitrates they contain, which can be converted into nitric oxide in the mouth. It helps stop the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and reduces oral acidity.

An antiseptic mouthwash used to treat plaque and gum disease contains chlorhexidine. But this ingredient removes both good and bad bacteria and increases acid levels in the mouth, which can lead to dental disease.

Research also suggests that chlorhexidine may play a role in antimicrobial resistance. Resistance to such drugs is a global health problem and is estimated to lead to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

Nitrate maintains a healthy balance of good and bad microorganisms in the mouth. Existing studies have shown that drinking lettuce juice for two weeks reduces gum inflammation and increases levels of beneficial bacteria in patients suffering from gum disease.