Mouthwash, Nitric Oxide, and Blood Pressure

Mouthwash kills oral bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite. The nitrite enters the bloodstream and converts to nitrous oxide (NO) which is a potent vasodilator. Hence mouthwash use is related to higher blood pressures and other conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate how the use of mouthwash affects salivary nitric oxide in college students. The final product of the thesis will be a written research paper with background on the topic as well as a detailed analysis of the experiment and results.