Aproko Doctor Warns Nigerians Against Rinsing Mouth With Untreated Borehole Water

Aproko Doctor Warns Nigerians Against Rinsing Mouth With Untreated Borehole Water

Nigerian doctor and health educator Chukwuma Okoro, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians against using untreated borehole water to rinse their mouths, saying contaminated water may expose people to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium associated with peptic ulcers.

Aproko Doctor issued the warning in a video shared on X on Monday, September 21, 2026, urging people to pay attention to the quality and source of water used for everyday activities, including brushing the teeth and rinsing the mouth.

He specifically raised concern about borehole water sourced from residential compounds, particularly where the borehole and surrounding plumbing or sanitation infrastructure may not be properly constructed or maintained.

According to him, H. pylori is one of the common causes of peptic ulcers. He warned that people who use untreated water for oral hygiene could potentially be exposed to bacteria if the water source has been contaminated.

He also pointed to the possible risk of contamination where borehole water pipes are located close to wastewater or soakaway systems.

However, the relationship between H. pylori and drinking water is more nuanced than suggesting that untreated borehole water directly causes ulcers. H. pylori has multiple possible transmission routes, and contaminated water is considered one potential route of exposure.

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Aproko Doctor advised people who are uncertain about the safety of their water to treat it before use. He mentioned boiling, proper filtration and suitable chemical disinfection as possible measures for reducing microbial contamination.

The warning is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where borehole water is widely used by households, businesses and institutions because of inadequate or unreliable public water supplies in many communities.

Having a borehole does not, by itself, mean that the water is unsafe. Water quality can depend on the location and depth of the borehole, its construction, the surrounding environment, the condition of pipes and storage facilities, and whether the water is regularly tested and treated.

Residents who rely on boreholes can reduce potential risks by ensuring that boreholes are properly constructed, keeping sanitation systems appropriately separated from water sources, maintaining water tanks and plumbing, and having water tested periodically.

People should also avoid assuming that clear-looking water is necessarily free of harmful microorganisms, as some forms of contamination cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste.

Aproko Doctor also highlighted other factors associated with peptic ulcers, including frequent use of certain painkillers. H. pylori infection and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are among the established major causes of peptic ulcers.

The health educator’s warning therefore extends beyond drinking water to the wider issue of household water safety.

For individuals experiencing persistent symptoms that could indicate an ulcer or another gastrointestinal condition, medical evaluation is advisable rather than relying solely on home remedies or self-medication.

Symptoms such as persistent upper abdominal pain, vomiting, unexplained weight loss or black, tarry stool require particular attention because gastrointestinal bleeding can be a serious complication.

The broader public-health message is that households should pay attention to the safety of water used not only for drinking and cooking but also for oral hygiene.

While contaminated water can present microbial health risks, H. pylori infection is not established as being caused by every source of untreated borehole water. The safety of individual borehole supplies depends on factors including construction, location, sanitation, treatment and water quality testing.

Aproko Doctor Warns Nigerians Against Rinsing Mouth With Untreated Borehole Water