A recent video by Nigerian health influencer Aproko Doctor has raised questions about something many households use every day, borehole water.
In the video, he warned that untreated borehole water could expose people to Helicobacter pylori, commonly called H. pylori. The bacterium is a major cause of peptic ulcers.
He also advised people who use untreated borehole water to avoid using it to rinse their mouths after brushing. But can borehole water actually cause an ulcer? 
The science supports the concern about contaminated water, but the connection is not as simple as saying borehole water causes ulcers.
H. pylori Is a Major Cause of Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine.
Two major causes are H. pylori infection and regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs. Common examples include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen.
When H. pylori infects the stomach, it can cause inflammation and weaken the protective lining. An ulcer may eventually develop. The infection is also widespread. Studies have found particularly high prevalence in parts of Africa, although infection rates vary between countries and populations.
Can H. pylori Come From Water?
Researchers have not established every way H. pylori spreads. Person-to-person transmission can occur, while contaminated food and water may also play a role. Scientists have detected H. pylori in water, and research shows that the bacterium can survive in aquatic environments.
However, available evidence does not justify saying that borehole water itself causes ulcers. The bigger concern is contaminated water.
A properly constructed and treated borehole does not carry the same risk as one exposed to sewage, leaking septic systems or other sources of contamination.
Poor sanitation can allow harmful microorganisms to enter groundwater. This is why households should not assume that water is safe simply because it comes from underground.
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What About Using Borehole Water to Brush Your Teeth?
Aproko Doctor’s warning about rinsing the mouth comes back to water safety. People may swallow small amounts of water while brushing or rinsing. For that reason, water used for oral hygiene should also be safe.
If a household cannot confirm the microbiological quality of its borehole water, treating the water before drinking or using it for oral hygiene is a sensible precaution.
However, there is not enough evidence to say that using borehole water to rinse the mouth explains why someone’s ulcer keeps returning. Persistent ulcers can have other causes. H. pylori may remain after treatment, while regular NSAID use can interfere with healing. Smoking can also increase ulcer risk and slow recovery. Recurring symptoms therefore require proper medical assessment.
Alcohol, Spicy Food and Stress Are Not the Main Causes
Ulcers attract plenty of misconceptions. People often blame spicy foods, stress or alcohol while overlooking H. pylori and painkiller use.
Spicy foods and everyday stress do not directly cause peptic ulcers, although they can make symptoms worse for some people. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, particularly with heavy consumption. Smoking can also increase ulcer risk and interfere with healing.
Still, H. pylori infection and NSAID use remain the major causes of peptic ulcers.
Do Not Ignore Black, Tarry Stool
One part of Aproko Doctor’s warning deserves particular attention. Black stool that looks sticky or tar-like can signal bleeding in the digestive tract. A bleeding ulcer is one possible cause.
Vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, dizziness or fainting can also signal a serious complication. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.
So, Can Borehole Water Cause Ulcers?
Not directly. There is no evidence that simply using borehole water automatically causes stomach ulcers.
The concern is contamination. If unsafe water carries H. pylori, it could potentially contribute to infection. However, researchers have not established contaminated drinking water as the only or definitive route through which the bacterium spreads.
Aproko Doctor’s broader warning about untreated water therefore has merit, but saying “borehole water causes ulcers” would go too far. The safer takeaway is simple, know the quality of the water you drink and use for oral hygiene.
And if ulcer symptoms keep returning, do not automatically blame food, stress or water. Testing for H. pylori, reviewing painkiller use and getting a proper medical assessment can help identify the actual cause.
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