Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

► Antiseptic mouthwash use abrogates oral bacterial conversion of nitrate to nitrite. ► Interruption of the enterosalivary circulation reduces plasma nitrite levels. ► The reduction in plasma nitrite levels is associated with elevations in blood pressure. ► The results indicate the importance of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria in blood pressure control. ► Our findings intimate adverse effects of mouthwash by disturbing NO/nitrite homeostasis.