Q My friend said she stopped using mouthwash when she heard it can raise blood pressure. I have a family history of high BP. Should I stop too?

AThere’s one common mouthwash ingredient behind the blood pressure risk—chlorhexidine. The chemical halts the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps keep arteries relaxed, and scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that people with lower levels of nitric oxide had higher blood pressure.

Although the risk that chlorhexidine will raise blood pressure is small (8%), it’s still worth finding a brand that’s free of the ingredient, like Tom’s of Maine, since high blood pressure runs in your family.

You could also skip mouthwash altogether and use a tongue cleaner to scrape your tongue daily. Ayurvedic practitioners have been recommending this strategy for centuries, and studies show it can reduce levels of harmful bacteria that cause bad breath and gum disease by 75%.