Maybe bad breath isn’t so bad.
Strong mouthwashes can lead to decreased sexual performance, according to experts.
Super astringent mouthwashes can “nuke” chemicals essential for the cardiovascular system, which boosts sexual function, according to Oregon dentist Dr. Staci Whitman.
“If we’re indiscriminately carpet bombing the mouth with these really strong astringents and rinses, we can be affecting our cardiovascular health … and there are studies to show it can increase blood pressure and and potentially cause cardiovascular issues,” she said on the health podcast Huberman Lab.
Whitman also shared that mouth breathing, which is known to increase the risk of cavities and gum disease, is also bad for sexual performance, especially in men.
Mouth breathers take in less nitric oxide, which is essential for blood flow to all parts of the body, she explained, upping the risk of erectile dysfunction.
“If you’re breathing through your mouth, not your nose, you’re not getting enough nitric oxide which is very important in sexual health,” she said. “Also, we know men who have gum disease are 2.85 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction.”
Whitman recommended men use mouth tape at night to promote breathing through the nose instead of the mouth.