We’ve long been taught that a clean mouth equals good health, especially as we age. For seniors, brushing, rinsing, and routine dental procedures are often seen as non-negotiable tools in the fight against disease. After all, oral infections can lead to serious complications, from heart attacks to cognitive decline.
But what if this decades-old wisdom is incomplete—or even quietly harmful?
Emerging research suggests that the very products and procedures designed to protect the elderly—fluoride toothpaste, antiseptic mouthwash, dental implants—may be silently disrupting a vital physiological system: the body’s ability to produce nitric oxide, a molecule essential for regulating blood pressure, vascular function, and immune response.
As nitric oxide production declines naturally with age, seniors may rely more heavily on oral bacteria to make up the difference. Yet those same bacteria are being wiped out in the name of hygiene. The result? A perfect storm: aging cardiovascular systems, multiple medications, and sterilized mouths with no microbial backup.
Could well-intentioned dental routines be tipping seniors into hypertension, inflammation, or even chronic illness?
This is more than a speculative question. It’s a blind spot in modern medicine, where dentists, cardiologists, and geriatricians rarely compare notes, and where what’s in your mouth might matter far more to your heart, brain, and longevity than anyone realizes.
(Note: About Us, a reference bibliography, related books, videos and apps can be found at the end of this article.)
Article Highlights
- Modern oral hygiene may unintentionally harm senior health by disrupting the oral microbiome’s role in cardiovascular function, particularly nitric oxide (NO) production.
- Nitric oxide is essential for heart health, regulating blood pressure and vascular tone, but its production declines with age, making oral bacterial pathways increasingly vital.
- Antiseptic mouthwashes (e.g., chlorhexidine, alcohol) kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, including nitrate-reducing species needed for nitric oxide synthesis.
- Studies show even modest increases in blood pressure (2–10 mmHg) following daily antiseptic mouthwash use, which is potentially dangerous for seniors with existing cardiovascular risk.
- Polypharmacy compounds the issue, as many common medications in older adults further impair NO production or disrupt the microbiome.
- Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria act as a backup system when the body’s primary NO production pathways decline with age, making microbial balance critical.
- Beetroot-based and NO-boosting supplements may fail if the user’s oral microbiome is compromised; without the right bacteria, nitrate stays inert.
- Chronic, low-grade dental infections from implants or root canals may trigger systemic inflammation, contributing to diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and possibly Alzheimer’s.
- Biofilms in dental hardware are often missed in standard dental X-rays but may be detected via cone-beam CT, especially relevant in older patients with unexplained illness.
- Fluoride’s origin story is entangled with industrial interests, including ALCOA’s efforts to rebrand toxic waste as a public health additive—a history rarely acknowledged in dentistry.
- Fluoride is effective topically, but its systemic use in water is poorly studied in seniors, despite known issues with kidney function, bone fragility, and endocrine disruption.
- Much of oral health science is outdated, poorly replicated, or biased, with limited age-specific data and ongoing influence from commercial interests.
- Once dental interventions become “standard of care,” they are rarely re-evaluated, even when new science suggests unintended consequences.
- Seniors deserve tailored oral care, not one-size-fits-all protocols. Current practices often ignore the physiological, metabolic, and microbiome differences of aging bodies.
- Better alternatives already exist: xylitol-based rinses, oral probiotics, CT imaging for hidden infections, and a shift toward topical (not systemic) fluoride use.
Introduction: The Paradox of Modern Oral Hygiene
We’ve been taught since childhood to brush, rinse, and sanitize our mouths into sterility. And for good reason: oral hygiene has long been one of public health’s greatest success stories. Poor oral health is linked to everything from heart disease and stroke to diabetes and even dementia. For older adults, in particular, untreated infections in the mouth can be life-threatening.
But what if some of the tools we use to prevent those infections—antiseptic rinses, fluoride toothpaste, and aggressive dental procedures—carry unintended consequences, especially for aging bodies?
New research is uncovering a surprising biological link between oral health and cardiovascular function: the role of oral bacteria in producing nitric oxide, a molecule essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure, regulating immune response, and supporting vascular function. As we age—and especially as the body’s natural nitric oxide production declines—this microbial pathway may become increasingly important.
Yet many seniors are advised to double down on hygiene routines designed for younger populations. More rinsing. More antiseptics. More fluoride. Rarely are these recommendations revisited through the lens of aging physiology.
Could we be overlooking a trade-off? In our effort to protect the body from infection, are we disrupting systems that help it function?
It’s a question few clinicians are asking—and one that may deserve closer scrutiny.
The Missing Link: Nitric Oxide and the Oral Microbiome
Nitric oxide (NO) may be one of the most important—and underappreciated—molecules in the human body. It’s a master regulator of cardiovascular health, responsible for relaxing blood vessels, improving blood flow, and helping to maintain normal blood pressure.
The body produces nitric oxide in two primary ways:
- Endogenously, through an enzyme called endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) found in blood vessel linings.
- Exogenously, via nitrate-reducing bacteria in the mouth that convert dietary nitrates (from leafy greens, beets, and other vegetables) into nitrite, and ultimately into nitric oxide in the bloodstream.
In younger adults, these systems typically work in tandem. But aging takes its toll. The eNOS pathway tends to decline with age, making the oral microbiome’s contribution to nitric oxide production more critical, especially for older adults managing hypertension or vascular disease.
But here’s where common dental hygiene habits may backfire:
Antiseptic mouthwashes—particularly those containing chlorhexidine, alcohol, or cetylpyridinium chloride—don’t discriminate. While they reduce harmful bacteria that cause gum disease, they also disrupt beneficial nitrate-reducing bacteria.
The effect isn’t just theoretical. In multiple studies, daily use of antiseptic mouthwash has been associated with increases in systolic blood pressure, with estimates ranging from 2 to 10 mmHg depending on the population studied and the duration of use. Even modest increases can be significant for older adults already managing borderline hypertension.
This isn’t an argument against oral hygiene, but rather a reminder that microbial balance matters, and that killing bacteria indiscriminately may have unintended downstream effects on vascular health.
The takeaway? For older adults in particular, preserving the right oral bacteria may be just as important as eliminating the wrong ones.
Vulnerable Popiulations: Seniors and Polypharmacy
If any group stands to be most affected by disruptions in nitric oxide production, it’s older adults.
Aging itself brings a host of cardiovascular changes: blood vessels stiffen, oxidative stress increases, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the enzyme responsible for producing nitric oxide within blood vessels, becomes less efficient. This age-related decline makes alternative nitric oxide pathways, including those mediated by the oral microbiome, more important.
But there’s another complicating factor: polypharmacy.
Many seniors take multiple medications, such as statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antihypertensives, diuretics, and proton pump inhibitors. While these drugs serve important purposes, some are known to impair nitric oxide production or affect vascular tone. Others may alter the oral or gut microbiome, potentially compounding the problem.
In this context, the microbial conversion of dietary nitrate to nitric oxide becomes more than a biological curiosity—it’s a critical compensatory mechanism. Yet paradoxically, older adults are often encouraged to intensify their oral hygiene routines, including the daily use of antiseptic mouthwashes, which may disrupt the very microbes they need.
Meanwhile, few clinicians are making these connections. Dentists rarely ask about cardiovascular health. Cardiologists seldom inquire about oral care products. And geriatricians, overwhelmed by more immediate concerns, may not consider mouthwash or toothpaste ingredients as relevant to blood pressure or inflammation.
But for a senior managing borderline hypertension or vascular disease, even small disruptions in nitric oxide production may have outsized effects. In these cases, something as routine as antiseptic mouthwash could be a silent contributor to rising blood pressure or declining vascular function, and it may go completely unnoticed.
Can Supplements Like Beet Chews Help?
In recent years, a wave of nitric oxide-boosting supplements, including beetroot powders, chews, and amino acid blends such as L-citrulline and L-arginine, has emerged in the wellness market. Marketed as natural vasodilators, these products promise improved circulation, enhanced energy, and even better cognitive function. For older adults concerned about blood pressure or vascular health, they seem like a simple solution.
And they might help—if the rest of the system is intact.
Beetroot and leafy greens are rich in dietary nitrate, which can be converted into nitric oxide. But this conversion depends on the presence of specific nitrate-reducing bacteria in the mouth. If those bacteria have been disrupted by frequent use of antiseptic mouthwash, for example, the first step in the pathway stalls. Nitrate remains inert, and the supplement’s potential benefit is largely lost.
This isn’t hypothetical. Clinical studies have shown that individuals who regularly use antiseptic mouthwash fail to experience the expected blood pressure-lowering effects of dietary nitrate. In those cases, beet chews and nitrate supplements become little more than expensive snacks.
So while these products have the potential to be helpful, they don’t bypass the need for a healthy oral microbiome. In fact, their effectiveness may serve as a kind of biological litmus test: if you’re not seeing results, it may be your mouth—not the supplement—that needs attention.
Dental Time Bombs: Implants, Root Canals, and Hidden Infections
In modern dentistry, procedures like root canals, dental implants, and crowns are routine. They restore function, preserve surrounding teeth, and prevent acute infection. For many patients, they’re effective and uneventful.
But a growing body of research suggests that these procedures—particularly when complications go undetected—may carry long-term systemic risks. At the center of the concern: anaerobic bacterial biofilms.
These biofilms are communities of bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments, precisely the kind found in root-canaled teeth (where the nerve and blood supply are removed), under dental crowns, or around implants. If sealed improperly or subjected to mechanical stress, these areas can harbor microbes that remain out of reach of the immune system and antibiotics.
Unlike classic dental infections, these biofilms may not cause pain or swelling. They often persist quietly, provoking low-grade inflammation that may spill into the bloodstream.
What’s at stake?
Although still debated in the mainstream, some studies and a number of integrative dental practitioners have linked chronic oral infections to:
- Insulin resistance and poor blood sugar control
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis
- Neuroinflammation, potentially implicated in Alzheimer’s disease
- Pancreatic and colorectal cancer, though the evidence here is preliminary and correlational
In older adults—especially those with weakened immunity, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes—these hidden infections may place an additional burden on already strained systems.
Ignored Warnings—or Just Early Signals?
So-called biological or holistic dentists have raised alarms for decades, citing cases where patients report improvements in systemic symptoms after having old root canals or implants removed. These stories are often dismissed by conventional dentistry as anecdotal, unscientific, or alarmist.
But newer imaging tools, like cone-beam CT scans, are beginning to change the conversation. Unlike standard X-rays, these scans can detect hidden abscesses, bone lesions, and implant-related infections that were previously missed.
None of this means all dental work is harmful. But it does suggest that a “set it and forget it” mentality may not be appropriate, especially for seniors. For patients with unexplained fatigue, systemic inflammation, or resistant chronic illness, revisiting the status of old dental work could be an important diagnostic step.
Flouride: Miracle Mineral, Industrial Artifact or Both?
Few public health measures have been as widely adopted, or as fiercely debated, as water fluoridation. Since the 1940s, fluoride has been added to municipal water supplies, toothpaste, and mouth rinses to prevent dental decay. It’s often cited as one of the outstanding public health achievements of the 20th century.
There’s no doubt that fluoride helps reduce tooth decay, especially in children. Topical fluoride, applied through toothpaste or dental varnishes, strengthens enamel and makes teeth more resistant to acid erosion. But beneath this success story lies a more complicated narrative—one that began not in a dental clinic, but in an industrial waste stream.
Sidebar: How Fluoride Got Into Everything
“A Public Health Milestone or Medical Overreach?”
The Origins:
In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first U.S. city to fluoridate its water. The move was based on early observational studies linking natural fluoride in groundwater with lower cavity rates. But critics argue that these studies were methodologically limited and selectively interpreted to support a policy already gaining momentum.
The Industrial Twist:
At the time, companies like ALCOA—a major aluminum producer—faced mounting costs and lawsuits related to fluoride waste, a toxic byproduct of smelting. Rebranding fluoride as a public health tool offered a convenient solution: it transformed a disposal liability into a marketable additive.
The Spin:
Researcher Gerald Cox of the ALCOA-backed Mellon Institute first proposed water fluoridation in 1939. The idea gained traction in part due to the efforts of Edward Bernays, the father of modern public relations, who had previously shaped public opinion on cigarettes and consumer goods. Fluoride became not just a treatment, but a symbol of scientific progress.
The Fallout:
Fluoride is now found in over 70% of U.S. tap water and nearly all major toothpaste brands. While the CDC continues to endorse fluoridation, many developed nations (Germany, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands) have opted out, choosing topical strategies instead.
Today’s Reality:
Long-term safety studies on fluoride exposure in older adults remain sparse. Unlike many substances, fluoride accumulates in bone, kidney, and possibly the pineal gland; this is particularly the case for those with reduced renal function. Some researchers have raised concerns about skeletal fluorosis, thyroid disruption, and calcification-related disorders in vulnerable populations.
Why It Matters:
This isn’t just a story about dental health. It’s a cautionary tale of how industrial interests, public health goals, and scientific uncertainty can intertwine. Seniors today may be carrying the biological legacy of a decision made nearly 80 years ago, with limited knowledge of its long-term consequences.
As with mouthwash, the question isn’t whether fluoride is helpful, it often is, but whether systemic exposure, particularly through drinking water, remains the most appropriate strategy for all populations, especially the elderly.
Most fluoride safety studies focus on children. Yet older adults have different physiology: slower metabolism, declining kidney function, and greater risk of bone fragility and endocrine disorders. And while fluoridated water may offer marginal benefits in an era of widespread toothpaste use, its risks—especially cumulative ones—are less frequently studied.
This doesn’t mean fluoride should be eliminated. But it does suggest we need more research tailored to aging populations, and a more nuanced view of how fluoride fits into modern oral health, particularly when topical-only strategies may offer similar benefits with fewer systemic risks.
Clean Mouth, Cloudy Science: The Medical Research Fog
If oral hygiene is one of the pillars of preventive health, why is so much of its scientific foundation still under debate?
From fluoride to mouthwash to root canals, many widely accepted dental practices rest on research that’s outdated, understudied, or shaped by conflicting interests. This doesn’t mean they’re ineffective—but it does mean the evidence supporting them deserves a more critical look.
In medicine more broadly, there’s growing recognition that many standard interventions—once considered unquestionable—have later been overturned. As highlighted in the landmark essay “Why Most Published Research Findings Are False,“ the problem isn’t necessarily evil intent. It’s systemic:
- Publication bias: Studies with positive findings are far more likely to be published than those with null or negative results.
- Poor replication: Many studies that form the basis of practice have never been independently replicated.
- Small sample sizes or short durations: Prevalent in oral health research, limiting generalizability.
- Industry influence: Product manufacturers often fund research into mouthwashes, fluoride varnishes, and dental devices, with predictable outcomes.
This doesn’t invalidate all oral health research. But it does suggest that the degree of certainty with which some interventions are promoted may not be fully supported by robust, long-term, unbiased data, particularly for older adults.
Examples worth re-examining:
- Fluoride: Still endorsed widely, yet newer data show diminishing returns for cavity prevention in populations with widespread toothpaste use, and limited research on long-term effects in seniors.
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash: Once hailed as a gold standard, now linked in several studies to increased blood pressure and microbiome disruption.
- Root canals and implants: Considered routine, but newer imaging (e.g., cone-beam CT scans) reveals hidden infections and complications missed by standard X-rays.
What these examples share is not a proven danger, but a lack of rigorous, age-specific research. When a practice becomes “standard of care,“ it can take decades—and significant effort—to challenge, even when new evidence emerges.
That’s not how science is supposed to work. But it’s how medical orthodoxy often does.
The Way Forward: Alternatives Without Collateral Damage
Reconsidering oral care for seniors isn’t about abandoning hygiene—it’s about adapting it to reflect new insights and the realities of aging physiology. The core practices of brushing, flossing, and infection prevention still matter. But for older adults, maintaining a clean mouth shouldn’t come at the expense of systemic health.
Here’s what a more balanced, age-aware approach might look like:
1. Rethink Mouthwash Use
Avoid daily use of antiseptic rinses like chlorhexidine, alcohol-based mouthwash, or cetylpyridinium chloride unless they’ve been prescribed for a specific condition. While these products can help in acute situations, indiscriminate use may harm nitrate-reducing bacteria essential for blood pressure regulation.
Better options: Xylitol-based rinses, alkaline mouthwashes, or herbal formulas with mild antimicrobial properties that don’t sterilize the oral microbiome.
2. Support the Oral Microbiome
Consider oral probiotics, especially strains shown to support periodontal health and microbiome diversity. Pair this with a nitrate-rich diet, such as leafy greens, beets, and fermented vegetables.
Why it matters: Even the best supplements (like beet chews or L-citrulline) won’t work if your oral bacteria can’t convert nitrate into nitric oxide.
3. Evaluate Past Dental Work—Don’t Ignore It
Ask your dentist about cone-beam CT imaging, especially if you have a history of root canals, crowns, or implants and unexplained symptoms like chronic fatigue, low-grade inflammation, or recurrent illness. These scans can detect hidden infections that traditional X-rays may miss.
4. Tailor Fluoride Exposure
Topical fluoride (in toothpaste) is effective at protecting enamel with minimal systemic risk. But for older adults, especially those with impaired kidney function or concerns about thyroid or bone health, systemic fluoride exposure through water may offer diminishing returns.
Ask your provider whether a topical-only approach might be a safer alternative.
5. Push for Geriatric-Specific Oral Research
Seniors are not simply “older adults.“ They have different metabolic rates, immune responses, and medication profiles. Yet most dental research still focuses on children or middle-aged populations. We need better data on how oral interventions affect aging bodies.
Oral health doesn’t need to come at a systemic cost. With better tools, updated science, and a willingness to adapt outdated practices, clinicians can help seniors maintain both their smiles and their cardiovascular resilience.
The solutions already exist. The question is whether we’re ready to use them wisely.
Conclusion: When Dogma Becomes Dangerous
We don’t need to abandon oral hygiene to protect senior health. But we do need to challenge the assumption that more intervention is always better, or that what works for a 25-year-old will work just as well for someone at 75.
At its core, this isn’t a story about toothbrushes or toothpaste. It’s about how well-meaning public health strategies, clinical routines, and entrenched beliefs can become misaligned with emerging science and with the needs of the most vulnerable patients.
We’ve long known that oral infection can damage the heart and brain. But we’ve overlooked a quieter truth: that overzealous efforts to sterilize the mouth may also carry risks, especially for older adults whose nitric oxide pathways, immune systems, and metabolic reserves are already under strain.
For decades, fluoride was considered untouchable. Mouthwash was assumed harmless. Dental implants were seen as permanent solutions. But new evidence on the oral microbiome, nitric oxide production, and chronic inflammation from silent infections suggests that some of these tools may carry unintended consequences, particularly in aging bodies.
This isn’t a call to fear, but to curiosity. A reminder that medicine advances not by defending dogma, but by re-examining it. And a challenge to clinicians, caregivers, and policymakers to ask more challenging and better informed questions; not just about what we do, but why we do it, and for whom.
In the end, seniors deserve more than routine care. They deserve care that evolves, just as their bodies do.
Disclaimer: As a Senior Health Advocacy Journalist, I strive to conduct thorough research and bring complex topics to the forefront of public awareness. However, I am not a licensed legal, medical, or financial professional. Therefore, it is important to seek advice from qualified professionals before making any significant decisions based on the information I provide.
Copyright: All text © 2025 James M. Sims and all images exclusive rights belong to James M. Sims and Midjourney unless otherwise noted.
References
Related Cielito Lindo Articles
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). The impact of legacy thinking on medical advances. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/the-impact-of-legacy-thinking-on-medical-advances/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). Metabolic health: Therapeutic diets for cognitive diseases. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/metabolic-health-therapeutic-diets-for-cognitive-diseases/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). The profound influence of the microbiome on health and longevity. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/the-profound-influence-of-the-microbiome-on-health-and-longevity/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). Epigenetics: The intersection of lifestyle, diet, and genetic expression. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/epigenetics-the-intersection-of-lifestyle-diet-and-genetic-expression/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). Genetic breakthroughs: The impact of epigenetics and CRISPR on disease treatment strategies. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/genetic-breakthroughs-the-impact-of-epigenetics-and-crispr-on-disease-treatment-strategies/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). Embracing control: How 12 risk factors shape our health and longevity. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/embracing-control-how-12-risk-factors-shape-our-health-and-longevity/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). Precision medicine: A more effective approach for comorbidities and polypharmacology for the elderly. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/precision-medicine-a-more-effective-approach-for-comorbidities-and-polypharmacology-for-the-elderly/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). How misguided theories delayed Alzheimer’s cure. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/how-misguided-theories-delayed-alzheimers-cure/
Sims, J. M. (n.d.). Empowering seniors: AI tools for effective healthcare advocacy. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/empowering-seniors-ai-tools-for-effective-healthcare-advocacy/
Sims, J. M. (2025, July 16). Rethinking oral health for seniors: Systemic fluoride, mouthwash, and the microbiome. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://www.cielitolindoseniorliving.com/rethinking-oral-health-for-seniors
Articles and Guides
Ioannidis, J. P. A. (2005). Why most published research findings are false. PLoS Medicine, 2(8), e124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124
American Dental Association. (2023). Fluoride in drinking water: Review of evidence and recommendations. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/fluoride-in-drinking-water
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (2021). Oral health in America: Advances and challenges. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/surgeon-general
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Fluoride: The debate continues. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/fluoride-the-debate-continues/
Websites
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Community water fluoridation. https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html
National Institutes of Health. (2022). Micronutrient information: Fluoride. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Fluoride-HealthProfessional/
Environmental Working Group. (2024). Fluoride in tap water: Health concerns for sensitive populations. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/fluoride-health-risks
International Association for Dental Research. (2023). Research priorities in aging and oral health. https://www.iadr.org/Aging-and-Oral-Health
Research Papers
Kobayashi, C. A., & Andrade, D. F. (2015). Oral health and aging: A critical review. Gerodontology, 32(2), 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/ger.12140
Slayton, R. L., Urquhart, O., Araujo, M. W., Fontana, M., Guzmán-Armstrong, S., Nascimento, M. M., … & Weyant, R. J. (2018). Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on nonrestorative treatments for carious lesions. Journal of the American Dental Association, 149(10), 837-849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2018.07.002
Buzalaf, M. A. R., Levy, S. M., & Whitford, G. M. (2011). Fluoride intake of children: Considerations for dental caries and dental fluorosis. Monographs in Oral Science, 22, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1159/000325141
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Books
Insel, P. M., Roth, W. T., & Shekelle, R. B. (2022). Nutrition for health and health care (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9780357768234
Pizzo, G., Giuliana, G., & Milici, M. E. (Eds.). (2010). Oral health in aging societies. Springer. ISBN: 9783642116131
Brown, L. J., & Wall, T. P. (2018). The economics of dental care. American Dental Association Publishing. ISBN: 9781684470034
Moynihan, P. (2012). Diet, nutrition and the prevention of dental diseases. In B. Caballero (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition (3rd ed., pp. 36–45). Academic Press. ISBN: 9780123750839
Additional Resources:
In this video, Dr. Nathan Bryan discusses the critical role of nitric oxide in maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases such as dementia and heart disease. He explains how nitric oxide regulates blood flow and insulin signaling, emphasizing its importance for both men and women. The discussion highlights the detrimental effects of mouthwash on oral bacteria, which are vital for nitric oxide production. Dr. Bryan also warns against the long-term use of certain medications that can lead to serious health issues, including heart attacks and dementia. Additionally, he addresses the significance of iodine in thyroid health and clarifies misconceptions surrounding nitrates and nitrites in the diet. Understanding these factors is essential for promoting longevity and overall well-being.
Dr. Bryan emphasizes the importance of maintaining oral health for nitric oxide production, suggesting that common practices like using mouthwash can be detrimental. He highlights the need for a balanced diet, regular exercise, and the significance of arginine and nitrates in supporting cardiovascular health. The discussion also touches on the role of nitric oxide in immune function and its potential benefits during viral infections. Understanding these factors is crucial for promoting overall health and longevity.
View the video here:
Highlights:
0:09 – Nitric oxide is a fascinating gas that controls blood flow and circulation to every organ.
1:11 – Chronic diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s can be traced back to a lack of nitric oxide.
3:07 – Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of nitric oxide deficiency.
4:10 – Insulin signaling is improved by nitric oxide, which is crucial for overall health.
6:00 – The body’s ability to produce nitric oxide can be compromised by various factors.
8:10 – Mouthwash can negatively affect oral bacteria essential for nitric oxide production.
12:00 – Two-thirds of Americans use mouthwash daily, potentially harming their cardiovascular health.
17:35 – Long-term use of certain medications can increase the risk of heart attack and dementia.
20:06 – Iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid dysfunction, impacting overall health.
29:31 – Nitrates and nitrites are essential for health, and misconceptions about them need to be addressed.
32:39 – Regulation changes affecting nitride to nitric oxide production.
33:52 – Discusses the benefits of nitrates in cured meats for nitric oxide.
35:34 – The significance of arginine in nitric oxide production and heart health.
39:12 – The importance of maintaining oral bacteria for nitric oxide synthesis.
41:59 – The role of exercise as a first-line defense for health.
44:18 – The impact of alcohol on nitric oxide production and health.
52:00 – Investigating nitric oxide’s role in reducing hospitalization during COVID-19.
54:02 – High sensitivity C-reactive protein as an indicator of inflammation.
59:05 – Nitric oxide’s role in enhancing microcirculation and sexual health.
1:03:24 – Recommendations to stop using mouthwash to optimize nitric oxide levels.
0:00 – Introduction to the topic of nitric oxide and the microbiome.
0:34 – Viewer question about the impact of fluoride toothpaste on beneficial bacteria.
1:45 – Overview of the importance of nitric oxide in bodily functions.
2:00 – Nitric oxide’s role in blood pressure regulation.
2:12 – Effects of nitric oxide on platelet function.
2:21 – Nitric oxide’s influence on blood flow to the brain.
2:30 – Improvement of vascular function through nitric oxide.
3:09 – Nitric oxide’s role in enhancing athletic performance.
3:25 – Nitric oxide’s impact on mitochondrial efficiency.
4:41 – Explanation of the two main pathways for nitric oxide production.
6:12 – Generas like Neisseria and Veillonella are crucial for nitric oxide production.
6:41 – The enterosalivary nitric oxide pathway significantly impacts our physiology.
7:04 – Antibacterial mouthwash abolishes the blood pressure-lowering effects of dietary nitrate.
7:30 – Spitting saliva blocks the reduction in systolic blood pressure from beetroot juice.
8:10 – Antiseptic mouthwash nearly abolishes oral conversion of nitrate to nitrite.
9:21 – Tongue cleaning positively impacts bacteria involved in nitric oxide production.
10:15 – Failing to clean the tongue is a leading cause of bad breath.
10:28 – Antibacterial toothpaste does not inhibit nitrate reduction or nitric oxide increases.
11:14 – The effects of harsh toothpaste on tongue bacteria remain unstudied.
11:26 – Consider using non-fluoride or natural toothpaste for oral hygiene.
0:27 – The onset of age-related chronic diseases begins early.
2:12 – Many are shocked by the lack of knowledge about nitric oxide.
3:00 – Clarification: nitric oxide (NO) is different from nitrous oxide.
4:17 – Aging leads to decreased nitric oxide production, impacting health.
5:44 – Erectile dysfunction is a key symptom of nitric oxide deficiency.
14:18 – Aging is linked to the inability to repair dysfunctional cells.
19:23 – Nitric oxide may improve conditions like Alzheimer’s by enhancing blood flow.
22:19 – A paradigm shift is needed in treating chronic diseases.
27:18 – The U.S. healthcare system struggles despite high spending.
45:11 – Using mouthwash can increase cardiovascular disease risk by 26%.
46:48 – Killing beneficial bacteria disrupts nitric oxide production.
48:26 – Nitric oxide’s role in cancer cell growth and proliferation.
50:57 – The body functions like a battery; electrical activity is crucial for health.
52:34 – Root canals can lead to infections that impact overall health.
59:29 – Tongue scraping and mouthwash use can elevate blood pressure.
1:03:36 – Avoiding sugar and high glycemic foods is essential for nitric oxide levels.
1:07:14 – A ketogenic diet can enhance nitric oxide production.
1:09:20 – Beetroot juice is beneficial for nitric oxide production and athletic performance.
1:12:12 – Antacids inhibit stomach acid production, affecting nutrient absorption.
1:19:25 – Sun exposure and red light therapy can boost nitric oxide levels.
About Us - Cielito Lindo Senior Living
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We are Cielito Lindo – a senior care facility in beautiful San Miguel de Allende and we serve as the assisted living and memory care component of Rancho los Labradores, which is a truly incredible one-of-a-kind country club resort-like gated community. Rancho los Labradores consists of individual villas, man made lakes, cobblestone streets, and a rich array of wonderful amenities (e.g., tennis, club house, pools, cafe, long and short term hotel suites, theater, Cielito Lindo, a la carte assisted living services).
What makes this place so amazing is not only the beauty and sense of community, but also the fact that you can have the lifestyle you desire with the care that you need as those needs arise… and all of this at a cost of living that is less than half of what it would cost comparably in the US.
Learn more about Cielito Lindo here
Download the Expatriate Guide for Senior Living in Mexico – For your convenience, the entire 50-page guide is available for download as a PDF. Send us an email us at information.cielitolindo@gmail.com or give us a call for any other information you might want
English speaking: 1.888.406.7990 (in US & CDN) 00.1.881.406.7990 (in MX)
Spanish speaking: 011.52.415.101.0201 (in US & CDN) 1.415.101.0201 (in MX)
We would love to hear from you and we are here to serve you with lots of helpful information, support, and zero-pressure sales.