Think mouthwash makes your mouth healthier? Think again. 🚨 Lately I’ve been on a mission to spread the word on science advances to the general public, this is when science really makes an impact. Frequent use of strong antimicrobial mouthwashes (like chlorhexidine or peroxide-based rinses) doesn’t discriminate—it wipes out both harmful and beneficial oral bacteria. The killing of good commensal bacteria (probiotics) leads to imbalance—called oral dysbiosis—can lead to a cascade of issues: from gum inflammation, worsened breath, and disrupted nitrate production (which affects blood pressure) to even making your mouth more vulnerable to pathogens. Lab studies also show harsh rinses such as Chlorhexidine can damage human oral cells—potentially disrupting healing and tissue health. Why it matters: Your oral microbiome protects you—not just freshens breath. When it’s weakened, you lose that first line of defense—and may invite disease. Why it matters: ✅ Skip daily harsh mouthwash. Only use them when recommended by a dentist short-term for disease; not maintenance. ✅ Try microbe-friendly options: gentle naturopathic herbal rinses, swishing salt water, use a waterjet device. Have you noticed side effects from mouthwash? Comment below! Hashtags: #OralMicrobiome #Dysbiosis #DentalWellness #MouthwashMyths #ScienceNotHype #HealthyMouth Full-text access: PMCID: PMC12127372 Utilizing a naturopathic mouthwash with selective antimicrobial effects against multispecies oral biofilms for prevention of dysbiosis