Brushing and flossing are just the beginning. There's a powerful molecule quietly supporting your heart, brain, and immune system — and it all starts in your mouth.
Meet nitric oxide (NO).
This unsung hero of human health plays a critical role in circulation, cognition, and immune defense. And while many associate it with endurance supplements or cardiovascular health, few realize that nitric oxide production begins with your oral microbiome.
Here’s what you need to know — and how to support your body’s nitric oxide production, naturally.
What Is Nitric Oxide — and Why Does It Matter?
Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule your body produces to help regulate key systems. It’s involved in:
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Enhancing blood flow through vasodilation
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Helping regulate blood pressure
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Supporting immune system function
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Promoting brain and cognitive health
Low nitric oxide levels have been linked to high blood pressure, fatigue, poor circulation, and weakened immune response. Supporting your body’s NO production is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support whole-body health — and it starts with the bacteria in your mouth.
How Your Mouth Helps Make Nitric Oxide
Your body has two main pathways for making nitric oxide. One of them starts in your blood vessels. The other — surprisingly — begins in your mouth.
Here’s how it works:
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You eat nitrate-rich foods like spinach, arugula, celery, or beets.
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Helpful oral bacteria convert nitrates into nitrites.
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Your stomach and tissues convert nitrites into nitric oxide.
These beneficial bacteria are the “good guys” of your oral microbiome — and they’re critical to this entire process. When the microbiome is disrupted, nitric oxide production decreases.
How Mouthwash Can Disrupt Nitric Oxide
If you use a harsh or alcohol-based mouthwash, you could be wiping out the very bacteria responsible for nitric oxide production.
Research backs this up: studies have shown that using antiseptic mouthwash can significantly reduce nitric oxide levels by interfering with the oral nitrate-to-nitrite conversion process. This can have downstream effects on blood pressure, circulation, and immune health.
Why Nitric Oxide Matters for Your Whole Body
When nitric oxide production is disrupted, the effects go beyond your mouth. Reduced NO levels may increase the risk of:
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Elevated blood pressure
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Increased cardiovascular disease risk
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Weakened immune response
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Poor oral microbiome balance
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Fatigue and sluggish circulation
In short: nitric oxide is a whole-body health molecule — and your oral microbiome is the starting point.
How to Support Nitric Oxide — Starting in Your Mouth
Simple daily habits can make a big impact on NO production and oral health.
1. Avoid Harsh Mouthwashes
Alcohol-based or antiseptic rinses may kill off beneficial oral bacteria. Skip them or switch to microbiome-safe alternatives.
2. Eat Nitrate-Rich Foods
Include natural sources of nitrate in your diet:
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Beets
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Spinach
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Arugula
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Kale
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Celery
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Romaine lettuce
These foods provide the raw material for nitric oxide — and your good guys handle the conversion.
3. Limit Added Sugar
Too much sugar feeds harmful bacteria and throws off oral balance. In addition to cutting back on sugary drinks and pastries, be mindful of sneaky sugar sources like flavored yogurts, cereals, and granolas.
4. Try Fygg NO Functional Mints
Fygg NO Functional Mints deliver prebiotic nitrate directly to the oral microbiome — feeding the beneficial bacteria that help kickstart nitric oxide production naturally, right where it begins: in your mouth.
These mints are like a salad in your pocket!
💡 Pro tip: Use a tongue scraper before taking the mint. Removing biofilm helps these beneficial bacteria work more efficiently — breaking down the mint and releasing nitric oxide gas in your mouth.
5. Practice Regular but Gentle Oral Hygiene
Brush twice a day, floss daily, and avoid over-scrubbing. Consistent, gentle care supports a diverse and balanced oral microbiome.
6. Stay Hydrated
Saliva helps convert nitrates and nourishes your oral bacteria. Sipping water throughout the day supports both nitric oxide production and a healthy mouth.
If you want to boost nitric oxide, look no further than your mouth. By feeding your oral microbiome and avoiding ingredients that destroy it, you’re supporting your heart, brain, immune system, and beyond.
At Fygg, we believe whole-body health begins in the mouth. That’s why our products are designed to feed your good guys, not destroy them.