Follow
A new study claims that the daily use of mouthwash might be increasing the risk of diabetes.
A recently released study showed that the daily use of mouthwash could be increasing a person’s the risk of diabetes. Although it might sound off to some, this research showed that using mouthwash every day might be killing beneficial microbes found in the mouth. These help protect people from diabetes, among others.
The Daily Use of Mouthwash and Why it Might be Detrimental to the Health
Harvard School of Public Health scientists are behind this new study. The researchers observed that people who used mouthwash twice a day presented a 55 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It was also noted that a daily use of mouthwash could actually increase the risk of sugar spikes and diabetes over the following three years.
This is the first research that shows a correlation between mouthwash and diabetes. It also is the first to point out that what is largely considered a positive practice that helps with oral hygiene might actually have dangerous consequences. The researchers mentioned that the problem with mouthwash is that its antibacterial ingredients are not selective. This means that the compounds don’t select specific bacteria, they just kill every bacterium they find.
To conduct this research, the scientists monitored 1,206 obese people between 40 and 65 years old. These presented a higher risk of diabetes compared to normal-weight people. During the study, about 17 percent of them developed pre-diabetes or diabetes. The number rose to 20 percent among those who used mouthwash once a day. For participants that used it two times a day, the value rose to 30 percent.
The study team points out that there are other ways to take care of your oral hygiene. Ones that don’t imply the daily use of mouthwash. One of them, for example, is maintaining a healthy diet. Some of the products that can ensure a person’s oral hygiene include apples, cheese, raisins, and spinach. Eating these and washing your teeth every day could help maintain a good oral health without the need for mouthwash.
Image Source: Wikimedia
