If you have high blood pressure and if you use a commercial antiseptic mouthwash--read on.
Antiseptic mouthwashes kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. The problem is that they kill all bacteria in your mouth-both good and bad. Good bacteria in your mouth helps you digest your food and gather the nutrients. When you eat things like lettuce or strawberries, the good bacteria breaks down the nitrates in the food and converts them to nitric oxide.
Why does that matter? Because nitric oxide expands your blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure, helps prevent plaque, and lowers your potential for a stroke.
What to do:
1. Eat healthy foods like salads, greens, and vegetables as much as you can.
2. Brush your teeth twice a day with a natural toothpaste and use a natural mouthwash. There are organic products available at your health food store or market that use ingredients like neem, myrrh and other herbs and botanicals. These herbs and essential oils, brought to you by Mother Nature, are naturally antiseptic (and they don't kill the good stuff).