A heart surgeon has revealed why he doesn't use a common bathroom product due to the associated health risks.
Most of us use a selection of different products in the bathroom, from toothpaste to shower gel, deodorant and dental floss.
However, according to one doctor, there is a specific product that carries a significant risk - and for this reason, he never uses it.
Dr. Jeremy London is a cardiothoracic surgeon who has been working in the field for over 25 years. On his social media, he has revealed several things that he avoids for the benefit of his heart, as well as how to detect a heart blockage. or whether to tell if you have a weak heart or not.
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And this time, he has suggested avoiding a staple product of your toothbrushing routine.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, he explained: "Stop using mouthwash. This is one thing that I absolutely avoid as a cardiac surgeon.
"Two reasons, number one, just like the remainder of your gastrointestinal tract, your mouth has healthy bacteria, and by killing that bacteria, you injure the environment in your mouth.
"Number two, and this I find really interesting, there's a chemical reaction with that healthy bacteria that helps control your blood pressure.
"And by destroying that bacteria in your mouth, you actually can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for both strokes and heart attacks."
This isn't the first time Dr London has warned about using mouthwash, as he's previously said there's 'unequivocal evidence' that you can 'you can actually increase your blood pressure simply by killing the bacteria in the mouth', adding: "And if you have a propensity to having high blood pressure, that can even be worse."
Research has shown that a balanced oral microbiome can contribute to improved cardiovascular health.
The study revealed that an ingredient in mouthwash, chlorhexidine, can kill nitric oxide (NO)-producing bacteria, which helps maintain blood pressure.
Nathan Bryan, from Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, and his team reported that using mouthwash twice a day was associated with an increase in blood pressure after one week.
“The demonstration that the presence of NO-producing bacteria in the oral cavity can help maintain normal blood pressure gives us another target to help the more than 100 million Americans living with high blood pressure,” said Bryan.
“Two out of three patients prescribed high blood pressure medication do not have their blood pressure adequately managed.
"This may provide an explanation as to why. None of the [current] drugs for management of hypertension are targeted towards these NO-producing bacteria."
Mouthwash is a common hygiene product, but Bryan warns that the habit could be doing more harm than good.
"We know one cannot be well without an adequate amount of NO circulating throughout the body," he added.
"Yet, the very first thing over 200 million Americans do each day is use an antiseptic mouthwash, which destroys the 'good bacteria' that helps to create the NO. These once thought good habits may be doing more harm than good."
Lucy Devine