This is the reason why you should not use mouthwash after brushing your teeth/@annapetersondenta
If you don't like the taste of mouthwash or are sensitive to its ingredients or simply looking for an alternative that offers the same protection for your mouth and teeth, look no further.
A study published in the scientific journal Nature may give you exactly the solution you are looking for, with the added bonus that the best alternative to mouthwash helps the whole body, not just oral health.
We are talking about leafy greens.
Green leaves are known for their high health benefits: among other things due to the fact that they are rich in chlorophyll, contain many antioxidants, rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, full of vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin C and K and contain a lot of dietary fiber.
However, current research has shown that green leaves also contain a molecule called 'nitrate' (nitrate in Hebrew) that offers even greater benefits for oral health, as well as the potential to be a natural alternative to mouthwashes.
It is also possible (and desirable) in a salad, but if you combine parsley in the mouthwash, your gums will thank you/ShutterStock
Researchers from the University of the West of Scotland studied competitive athletes, who are prone to gum disease because of their high sugar intake (many use energy gels during exercise, which is essentially pure sugar).
The nitric oxide helps stop the overgrowth of bad bacteria and reduces the acidity of the mouth, which can cause both gum disease and tooth decay.
An antiseptic mouthwash used to treat dental plaque and gum disease contains chlorhexidine.
But this ingredient removes good bacteria as well as bad bacteria and increases acid levels in the mouth, which can lead to disease.
Research also suggests that chlorhexidine may play a role in antimicrobial resistance, which is when bacteria learn to survive the effects of antibiotic drugs after repeated exposure to treatments.
This resistance is a global health concern, and is estimated to lead to 10 million deaths per year by 2050.
The researchers found that the same molecule - 'nitrate', however, fosters a healthy balance of good and bad microorganisms in the mouth.
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Which green leaf is the healthiest?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a list of foods whose consumption helps prevent illness.
On the IFL Science website, they will also include in this list the content of nutrients per calorie for each of the green leafy vegetables (and in particular: potassium, fiber, protein, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins A and C) .
The result is a ranking of the green leaves that are the healthiest for you to eat:
Kyle
Spinach
Broccoli leaves
Arabic lettuce
chard
endive (chive)
Watercress
Iceberg lettuce
a rocket
More on the same topic:
green leaves
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Teeth
germs