Science Reveals A Major Downside To Using Mouthwash Every Day

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In the name of dental hygiene, most people use mouthwash twice a day. It pairs perfectly with that brushing and flossing routine the dentist prescribes, and it keeps your breath oh-so-fresh. But if you use it too frequently, it could be increasing your risk of metabolic problems down the road.

New research from Harvard University suggests that overusing mouthwash could predispose people to type 2 diabetes. In its study of more than 1,2000 people, the team found that those who used mouthwash two or more times each day were 55 percent more likely to develop diabetes over a three-year follow-up period than the people who used mouthwash less frequently.

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Now, before you flip out over how ridiculous that sounds, think about what mouthwash is actually doing as it’s freshening your breath. It’s killing bacteria. And it doesn’t discriminate when it comes to both good and bad bacteria. It destroys it all. And you need some of that good bacteria (especially nitric oxide) to regulate your metabolism, insulin levels and blood sugar levels successfully. Lacking so much of that good, important bacteria means that your body could struggle to achieve that metabolic balance.

Luckily, there is a super easy solution to this problem. Just swish around your favorite mouthwash once a day… max. And if you’re really that worried about having bad breath later in the day, pop a piece of mint gum or snag some high-quality breath mints.