How to Make Homemade Mouthwash

Why make homemade mouthwash? You can avoid the alcohol, dyes, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners present in many commercial mouthwashes and control the quality of the ingredients.

This article contains five mouthwash recipes, plus links to four more. What will you find in these recipes? Some of the ingredients include:

• Water
• Baking soda may help neutralize the acid that causes cavities.
• Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that gives the mouthwash a slightly sweet taste. Xylitol may or may not help prevent cavities.
  
• Essential oils have properties that may kill some of the bacteria that cause cavities. The oils also give the mouthwash a more pleasant flavor—peppermint and spearmint are popular.

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All Natural Mouthwash Recipe

Here's the most basic alcohol-free mouthwash recipe:

• 1/2 cup filtered or distilled water
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
  

Mix all ingredients in a glass container that has a lid. Shake well.

Use as needed, shaking well before each use (the baking soda settles to the bottom). Swish 2 to 3 teaspoons of mouthwash in your mouth for a minute or two and then spit it out.

Source: DIY Natural

Baking Soda Mouthwash With Xylitol

Place the following ingredients a glass container that has a lid:

• 2 cups lukewarm distilled water
• 1.5 teaspoons xylitol
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
  

Secure the lid and then shake vigorously until all the ingredients dissolve in the water.

To use, take a sip, swish it in your mouth for about a minute, and then spit it out. There is no need to rinse with water.

Source: Smarticular

Teeth Whitening Mouthwash

In addition to whitening, this mouthwash purportedly helps remineralize teeth using calcium carbonate powder and liquid trace minerals.

• 1 teaspoon xylitol
• 2 teaspoons calcium carbonate powder
• 10 drops concentrated trace minerals liquid
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops spearmint essential oil
  
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 cups filtered water

1. In a glass mixing container, stir together the xylitol and calcium carbonate powder.
2. Add the liquid minerals, essential oils, and water, and stir well.
   
3. Pour the mixture into a glass bottle.
4. Close the lid tightly and then shake for about 30 to 60 seconds to dissolve the xylitol.

Store this mouthwash in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Use as needed, shaking well before each use.

Source: Living the Nourished Life

Aloe Vera Mouthwash

One study indicated that aloe vera may be an effective mouthwash due to its ability to reduce dental plaque, while this study found aloe vera reduces indications of periodontal disease.

• 1 cup aloe vera juice
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 10 to 20 drops peppermint essential oil
  

Mix all ingredients in a bottle and use as needed, shaking before each use.

Source: DIY Natural

DIY Mouthwash

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil (you could also use cinnamon, clove, or wintergreen)
• Pinch of sea salt
• Optional for a stronger rinse: 2 drops of another essential oil, such as spearmint or tea tree
  

Combine all ingredients in a glass container that has a lid. Shake well.

To use: Shake well. Swish 1 to 2 teaspoons in your mouth for about a minute, and then spit out the mouthwash and rinse your mouth with water.

Source: Health Extremist

Other Homemade Mouthwash Recipes

Here are links to four more mouthwash recipes:

Herbal Mouthwash (contains alcohol and dried herbs, in addition to essential oils).

Antiseptic Homemade Mouthwash is a little more complicated, as you have to make an herbal infusion.

Lemon-Cinnamon Mouthwash uses lemon juice and cinnamon essential oil, along with honey, baking soda, and water.

Minty Clove Mouthwash contains whole cloves, ground cinnamon, and peppermint essential oil.

Photo Credit: jchwhite/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)