Nitrate Mouth Rinse and the Oral Microbiome

Nitrate is found in high concentrations in beet root, and as such we will use a beet root based product as a daily mouth rinse (Swish and Spit) as a part of the participants daily oral hygiene regimen and collect the participants biofilm before and after 2 weeks of regular use. We will then analyze the data using 16s rRNA sequencing to evaluate the changes in alpha diversity, beta diversity and the absolute and relative differential abundance of nitrate reducing bacteria in the oral microbiome. We will also collect salivary samples to evaluate NO levels, as well as measure blood pressure pre and post treatment.

After this study's completion, we expect to have gained new knowledge on nitrate's influence on the oral microbiome's composition. Gaining this knowledge will allow better public understanding of the effects oral hygiene products have on their oral and systemic health. In addition, the knowledge gained could encourage further investigations into how to better formulate oral hygiene products for improved health and performance.

Inclusion criteria

• You are between the ages of 18 and 40. Have no uncontrolled systemic diseases.

Participants with mild chronic conditions such as:

• Asthma
• Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Exclusion criteria

• You are under the age of 18.
• You have uncontrolled systemic diseases, or acute infections.
• You are taking prescription, antibiotics, probiotics, or antimicrobial mouthrinses.
• You have a documented true allergy (i.e Hives, Swelling of lips/throat) Soy, Nuts, Seeds, Dairy, Egg products, Fish/Shellfish or Wheat.
• The presence of acute or chronic oral conditions including:

• Herpes Simplex Virus (recent cold sores)
• Stomatitis
• Oral Lichen Planus
• Angular Cheilitis
• Candidiasis
• Necrotizing Gingival Diseases
• Other inflammatory or infectious pathologies
• Active dental caries "cavities"
• Any other periodontal diagnosis other than 'Healthy Periodontium' or localized gingivitis