Stating that aromatic-smelling antibacterial mouthwashes also destroy the beneficial bacteria responsible for nitrite production in the mouth, which affects vascular health, Prof. Dr. Fevzi Sefa Dereköy said, “In a study conducted in Sweden, low nitrite production was associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Unconscious and excessive use of such liquids and mouthwashes may pose many risks.”
prof. Dr. Fevzi Sefa Dereköy warned about mouthwashes or sprays with minty, fragrant aromatic scents used in daily life.
Stating that such mouthwashes and sprays have a refreshing effect and temporarily remove bad breath, Prof. Dr. Dereköy stated that there are many risks that may arise from unconscious and excessive use, “However, it should be known that these mouth antiseptics and mouthwashes may also have some negative side effects with the chemicals they contain.
First of all, it should be known that such solutions will not replace good tooth brushing or dental floss. For this reason, when we use solutions, our mouth may feel as if it is not cleaned properly. Providing oral hygiene only with these solutions may pose serious risks in terms of health.
In a study conducted in Turkey, it was reported that such sprays and mouthwashes have a fatal effect on gingival fibroblasts. Dr. Fevzi Sefa Derekoy continued his words as follows:
“These mouth rinse solutions or antiseptics do not have the ability to distinguish the beneficial microbe from the harmful. The human mouth is a structure with a very large microbe load. There are many more microbes in a mouth than there are people in the world. Most of them are beneficial to us and harm our body. It protects against many bacteria and viruses.
When we use an antibacterial mouthwash, it kills not only the harmful ones but also the beneficial ones. Thus, a dangerous microbe that we take from the outside can easily start an infection in the mouth. In addition, the loss of bacterial load in the mouth also reduces the production of nitrite, which is necessary for the health of the vessels in the body. A Swedish study found that low nitrite production due to this type increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Professor, who warns that alcohol-based mouth rinse solutions can cause dryness of the mouth and sores by evaporation and effect on the salivary glands. Dr. Dereköy said, “When alcohol-based liquids are used, the protective cover on the teeth and gums is lost, and tooth discoloration due to coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages will become easier. Loss of this protective cover and saliva will lead to the formation of plaque on the teeth, and the vicious cycle of using such solutions will begin with the increase of bad breath. Especially often used mouth solutions are harmful to the health of the teeth because they are acidic. It erodes the enamel of the tooth and weakens it, leading to caries. Again, the relationship between artificial food dyes and bladder cancer has been proven.
Dereköy said, “We find it useful to remind another point in this regard. Some mouthwashes and sprays are prescribed by the physician during bacterial tonsillitis and pharyngitis. The use of those that do not contain antibacterial content and only have anti-inflammatory properties aggravates the infection in these patients.
In this type of infectious diseases, it is appropriate to use antibacterial spray or mouthwash. However, due to the above-mentioned drawbacks after the approval of the physician due to the disease, it is appropriate to leave it and its use not to become permanent,” he concluded.
