9 Natural Mouthwashes You’ll Feel Good About Using While Saving Some Bucks
Believe it or not, mouthwashes have been around for a long, long time. In fact, the very first references that we have are from books in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine that list ingredients for a mouth rinse for the treatment of gingivitis from about 2700 B.C.!
There are other examples as well. Hippocrates recommended making a combination of vinegar, alum, and salt to stop bad breath. Native Americans often used plants, such as three leaf golden thread, soaked in water as a mouth rinse to stop infections. The Romans, and Greek upper class people, typically used a mouth rinse after brushing their teeth with sticks or reeds.
In 1970, there were only about 15 brands and types of mouthwash in the United States. Today, there are more than 112! Rinsing out the mouth with a mouthwash is considered to be important for good oral hygiene, but store-bought chemical mouthwash is filled with potentially harmful ingredients like thymol, which is known to be dangerous to the environment as well as to aquatic organisms, and hexetidine, considered to be carcinogenic.
In addition to avoiding possible toxins, you might also save some of your hard-earned cash and even see better results by making your own mouthwash. Here are some great home recipes for mouthwash.
- Super Citrus Oil Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of filtered water
- 2 teaspoons of calcium carbonate powder
- 1 teaspoon of xylitol crystals
- 10 drops of trace mineral liquid
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
- 3 drops of wild orange essential oil
Instructions:
In a mason jar, or other similar container with a lid, stir together the xylitol crystals and the calcium powder. Add the essential oils and liquid minerals. Stir again to be sure everything is well combined. Add your water and stir. Close the lid and shake for 1 minute. That’s it! How easy was that?! You can find all these ingredients in your local natural or health food store or online. Store this in the refrigerator (it keeps for 2 to 3 weeks) and shake well before each use.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener proven to have a positive effect on tooth and gum health. It is recommended by many dentists and is now a popular ingredient in natural toothpaste, gum and mouthwash. It will also improve the taste and even the effectiveness of your mouthwash.
- Super Simple Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 4 teaspoons of baking soda
- 4 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 4 drops of peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a mason jar or similar container with a lid. Shake very well. Use about 2 tablespoons of this mixture each day, the same way you would use mouthwash for super white teeth and fresh breath. The baking soda will usually settle to the bottom of the container after a few hours, but don’t worry, this is normal. Simply shake well before each use.
- Cinnamon and Honey Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 2 organic lemons, juiced
- ½ tablespoon of cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda (not baking powder!)
- 5 teaspoons of raw, organic honey
- 1 cup of warm water
Instructions:
Using a mason jar or similar type of container with a tight fitting lid, add all ingredients in the order given. Be sure the water is very warm as it needs to melt the honey. Close the lid and shake for one minute. Store in the fridge and use two tablespoons as a mouth rinse.
- Three-Ingredient Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
Add all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake very well. This can be kept in the bathroom and does not require refrigeration. Shake well before each use.
- Grandma’s Disinfecting Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients together in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well before each use. This will keep forever right on your bathroom countertop.
- Herb-Infused Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of filtered water
- ½ ounce of whole cloves
- 1 ounce of Oregon grape root
- 1 ounce of rosemary sprigs
Instructions:
Boil the water and then add all remaining ingredients to the water. Boil for one minute, then turn off the fire and cover the pot. Allow herbs to steep in the water overnight. Strain out the herbs with a piece of cheesecloth in the morning and store in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well before each use and store in the refrigerator. This will keep 7 to 14 days in the fridge.
- Simple Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 1-part hydrogen peroxide
- 1-part filtered water
Instructions:
Don’t make a large batch of this solution. Try one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of water, for example. Mix in a ceramic or glass container (such as a glass or coffee cup) and use immediately. Swish in the mouth for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow, and do not save any extra solution.
- Sweet-Smelling Essential Oil Mouthwash
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 20 drops of the essential oil of your choice. Best choices are cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, peppermint, or tea tree oil
Instructions:
In a glass container with a tight fitting lid, combine all ingredients and shake well. Always shake well before each use. This mixture will keep on the kitchen counter or bathroom counter forever.
- Oral Cancer Fighting Turmeric Solution
Ingredients:
- 10 mg of turmeric extract
- ½ cup of water
Instructions:
Use 10 mg of turmeric extract dissolved in a little less than a ½ cup of water. A drop or two of peppermint oil can be added for flavoring; alternatively, you can just stir a little turmeric powder into warm water. Either will result in an outstanding mouthwash for treating inflamed gums and even relieving a toothache.
Since ancient times, turmeric has been used for remedying oral ailments, among other therapeutic applications too numerous to count. Studies have shown that using turmeric as part of a mouth cleansing solution can be more effective than a chemical mouthwash. The curcumin in turmeric acts to disrupt the cycle of dental plaque formation. Research has found that turmeric extract and turmeric oil may reverse precancerous changes in oral submucous fibrosis in humans and even kill oral cancer cells.
As with any mouthwash, be sure not to swallow during use. Happy gargling!
Sources: TheAlternativeDaily.com, DIYnatural.com, GreenMedInfo.com
