What if a simple 30-second habit every morning could help support healthy blood pressure? Dr. Gundry reveals an ancient practice that’s thousands of years old, and explains why modern research is uncovering a surprising connection between your mouth, your oral microbiome, and your heart. And here’s the twist: something many people use every day for fresh breath could be interfering with this process.
⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not stop prescribed blood pressure medication or change your treatment plan without consulting your healthcare provider.
The key is nitric oxide, a molecule that helps your blood vessels relax and widen. Dr. Gundry explains how the beneficial bacteria living in your mouth help convert dietary nitrates into nitric oxide, why this process may become less efficient as you age, and how antibacterial mouthwash could disrupt those bacteria. He also discusses studies linking antibacterial mouthwash use to increases in blood pressure, including reported rises in systolic pressure of 7–10 points in some studies.
But blood pressure isn’t the only reason to pay attention to what’s happening in your mouth. Drawing on his experience as a heart surgeon, Dr. Gundry explains how harmful oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect the heart and blood vessels. He also shares a personal research story about flossing, inflammation, and what happened when participants improved their oral hygiene over six months.
So what’s the ancient trick? Tongue scraping. Dr. Gundry explains how this simple practice may help support the bacteria involved in nitric oxide production, why the frequency of tongue cleaning matters, and how you can incorporate it into your morning routine in less than a minute.
He also explains why flossing matters far beyond having a brighter smile, shares an easy alternative for people who struggle with traditional floss, and challenges the way we think about oral care. What if taking care of your mouth is about much more than fresh breath and white teeth?
If you’re looking for simple ways to support healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular health as you get older, this is one morning habit worth learning about.
0:00 The Ancient Secret for Blood Pressure
1:24 The Hidden Danger in Your Mouthwash
2:14 Understanding the Leaky Mouth Connection
5:57 The Simple Thirty Second Tongue Trick
Do you use a tongue scraper, or is this the first time you’ve heard about the connection between your oral microbiome and blood pressure? Let Dr. Gundry know in the comments!
#DrGundry #BloodPressure #TongueScraping
