Conventional mouthwashes contain active ingredients that may make your breath worse and decrease the health of microbes that protect against dental disease if used for a long period.
But you don’t have to worry. There are great alternatives for those commercial mouthwashes. These alternatives can be easily be made at home and include ingredients that are great for you oral microbiome thus fighting the awful and unavoidable post-meal odor.
Benefits Of Including Mouthwash In Your Oral Regimen
Mouthwashes are used to promote oral health. With regular use you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
- Freshens your breath
- Prevents plaque build-up
- Health treat mouth sores
- Decreases oral cavities
- Loosens any debris inside your mouth (when used before brushing)
- Strengthens your teeth and gums
- Treats mouth sores
Here is the list of recipes that are great alternatives to the vast number of over-the-counter mouthwashes. You can easily make one on your own.
Best Homemade Mouthwashes
Essential Oils
Peppermint Oil – Peppermint essential oil has beneficial cleaning and antimicrobial properties that can effectively fight bad breath. It also provides a cooling, minty flavor to the mouthwash.
Mix 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil in a cup of distilled water and use it to rinse your mouth. You may do this 2-3 times daily, preferably after every meal.
Tea Tree Oil – This essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce symptoms of bleeding and inflammation caused by bacteria and gingivitis. It helps speed up the healing process.
Add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil in a half cup of distilled water and mix well. Use the mixture to rinse your mouth. Do this after every meal.
Cinnamon Oil – Cinnamon oil has strong antimicrobial properties that can fight oral bacteria and provide relief from pain due to inflammation caused by cavities.
Add two to three drops of cinnamon essential oil to a cup of distilled water. Mix well and use this mixture to rinse your mouth. Do this several times daily.
Clove Oil – Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, clove oil is one of the great oils to use in homemade mouthwash. It can help soothe a sore throat and relieve other pain from toothaches and mouth ulcers.
Add three drops of the oil in a cup of distilled water and use it to rinse your mouth every after a meal.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has alkaline nature that increases salivary pH thus helping neutralize acids, fight germs and stain on teeth, and take care of odors.
For this remedy, you need to mix well half a teaspoon of table salt and half a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it before or after brushing your teeth. Do this 3-4 times daily.
Salt
Salt water mouth rinse increases the pH balance of your mouth, thereby creating an alkaline environment in which bacteria struggle to survive. Aside from this, it also reduces plaque, soothe and heal mouth sores and provides relief from a sore throat caused by strep, tonsillitis or even a common cold.
Add half a teaspoon of table salt to half a glass of warm water. Mix well and rinse your mouth using the mixture. Do this 2-3 times daily, following a meal.
Coconut Oil
Oil pulling using coconut oil is recommended for good oral hygiene as well as a great way to detoxify the body. It decreases plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis.
Gargle with 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil for 10-15 minutes. Spit the oil and go about your oral care routine. Do this once a day before brushing your teeth.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice can help treat gum diseases, like gingivitis, and periodontitis. It has antiseptic and antifungal properties that can help prevent plaque and reduce periodontal indices.
Mix half a cup of aloe vera juice, half teaspoon of baking soda and half a cup of distilled water. Use the mixture to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. Do this 3-4 times daily.
