In the battle against diabetes, a new weapon has emerged: mouthwash. Yep, you read that right. A recent study published in Scientific Reports suggests that rinsing with mouthwash might do more than just freshen your breath—it could actually help control blood sugar levels in folks with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Here’s the deal: Diabetes and gum disease often go hand in hand, creating a nasty cycle where one exacerbates the other. But researchers found that twice-daily gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate—hello, science speak—could be a game-changer.

During the six-month study, mouthwash users showed a significant decrease in harmful bacteria associated with gum disease compared to those just using water. While it didn’t work magic on blood sugar levels, younger patients saw some improvement, hinting at potential benefits for overall diabetes management.

But wait, there’s more! The gender card comes into play too. It seems the mouthwash had a better punch for men, knocking out those pesky bacteria more effectively.

Though the study had its quirks and limitations—like not fully quantifying bacteria levels—it’s a promising step in the fight against diabetes complications. So next time you reach for that mouthwash, remember, you might be doing more than just swishing away bad breath—you could be giving your diabetes management plan a boost too.

Matayoshi, S., Tojo, F., Suehiro, Y. et al. Effects of mouthwash on periodontal pathogens and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sci Rep 14, 2777 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53213-x