Most people believe that killing bacteria in the mouth is always a good thing. But in a way it is similar to taking antibiotics every day.
Modern research suggests that some oral bacteria may be among the most important organisms for maintaining healthy blood pressure, circulation and cardiovascular health.
Scientists have discovered that beneficial bacteria living on the tongue play a crucial role in the production of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule essential for healthy ageing, heart health, brain function and energy production.
The Nitric Oxide Problem
Nitric oxide is responsible for helping blood vessels relax and widen, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach tissues throughout the body.
Unfortunately, nitric oxide production declines significantly with age.
Research suggests that:
- Nitric oxide production may decline by up to 50% between the ages of 40 and 60.
- Reduced nitric oxide levels are associated with higher blood pressure, poorer circulation and increased cardiovascular risk.
- Nitric oxide deficiency has been linked to age-related declines in vascular, cognitive and metabolic health.
Your Oral Microbiome: The Missing Link
When you consume nitrate-rich foods such as beetroot and arugula, the nitrate is absorbed and concentrated in your saliva.
Beneficial bacteria living on the tongue then convert nitrate into nitrite, which is subsequently converted into nitric oxide throughout the body.
Without these bacteria, the entire pathway becomes far less effective.
This is why your oral microbiome is increasingly being viewed as an essential component of cardiovascular health.
What Happens When You Use Antibacterial Mouthwash?
Many popular mouthwashes are designed to kill bacteria indiscriminately.
Unfortunately, this includes the beneficial nitrate-reducing bacteria responsible for nitric oxide production.
Research has shown that antibacterial mouthwash can:
- Reduce nitrate-to-nitrite conversion by up to 90%
- Reduce circulating nitrite levels by up to 25%
- Significantly alter the oral microbiome within just 7 days
- Increase systolic blood pressure by approximately 2–3.5 mmHg
In one study:
- 13 out of 27 participants (48%) experienced an increase in systolic blood pressure of at least 5 mmHg after one week of chlorhexidine mouthwash use.
These changes may sound small, but they are clinically significant.
Research suggests that:
- A reduction of just 2 mmHg in systolic blood pressure can reduce stroke mortality by approximately 10%
- A reduction of 2 mmHg may lower deaths from coronary heart disease by approximately 7%
The opposite is also likely true. A rise in blood pressure resulting from impaired nitric oxide production may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk over time.
Feed Your Nitric Oxide Pathway Instead
Rather than destroying beneficial bacteria, a better approach may be to nourish them.
Two of nature’s richest sources of dietary nitrate are:
- Beetroot
- Arugula (Rocket)
Research shows these vegetables support the growth and activity of nitrate-reducing bacteria such as:
- Neisseria
- Rothia
- Veillonella
These bacteria act as the first step in the body’s nitric oxide production pathway.
How Ultimate 4 Supports Oral Health and Nitric Oxide Production
Ultimate 4 was formulated to support the body’s natural nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway.
Each serving contains concentrated beetroot and arugula extracts that provide naturally occurring dietary nitrates.
Ultimate 4 may help:
- Support healthy nitric oxide production
- Nourish beneficial nitrate-reducing oral bacteria
- Support healthy blood pressure
- Promote healthy circulation
- Support cardiovascular and cognitive health
- Help counteract age-related declines in nitric oxide production
Rather than working against your oral microbiome, Ultimate 4 works with it.
Measure Your Nitric Oxide Levels at Home
One of the most unique features of Ultimate 4 is that every purchase includes nitric oxide test strips.
These simple saliva strips allow you to measure your nitric oxide status in seconds.
Testing allows you to see how factors
- Stress
- Medications
- Mouthwash use
- Supplementation
may be influencing your nitric oxide levels.
Many people are surprised to discover that despite exercising and eating well, their nitric oxide levels remain low.
By combining nitrate-rich nutrition with nitric oxide testing, you can monitor and optimise one of the body’s most important health pathways.
The Bottom Line
For decades, the goal of oral health was to eliminate as many bacteria as possible.
Today, the science is telling a different story.
Some of the bacteria living on your tongue are essential for producing nitric oxide, a molecule critical for healthy blood pressure, circulation, heart health and healthy ageing.
Instead of destroying these beneficial bacteria, consider supporting them with nitrate-rich nutrition from beetroot and arugula.
Ultimate 4 provides a convenient daily source of dietary nitrates and includes nitric oxide test strips so you can see your results for yourself.
Because when it comes to nitric oxide, what gets measured gets optimised.
If you would like to get your nitric oxide test strips and Ultimate 4 we have a bundle to save 30%. Click here.
References
Kapil V, et al. Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control.
Bescos R, et al. The oral microbiome, nitric oxide and cardiovascular health.
Woessner M, et al. Antibacterial mouthwash use and reductions in nitric oxide bioavailability.
Lundberg JO, Weitzberg E. Nitric oxide generation from dietary nitrate.
Rosier BT, et al. Nitrate-reducing bacteria and oral-systemic health.