Rothia is the second most abundant bacterial genus in your mouth — about 1 in 9 of your oral bacteria. It's one of the most active at converting dietary nitrate into nitric oxide, the molecule your blood vessels use to stay relaxed. Higher Rothia tracks with healthier blood pressure markers in published research.
Eat more leafy greens and beets. In a controlled trial, 10 days of dietary nitrate raised Rothia by 127% with corresponding plasma nitrite increases.
Daily chlorhexidine and alcohol-based mouthwashes. They kill Rothia and other nitrate-reducing bacteria non-selectively, with measurable effects on blood pressure within one day.
Species pages
Deeper writeups for individual species in this genus.
Synthesized from 10 peer-reviewed sources · Last updated May 2026
This information is for wellness purposes only and is not a medical assessment. Always consult a medical professional about any health concerns.