Top 5 Homemade Mouthwash Recipes for Bad Breath and Gingivitis

Homemade mouthwash recipes can be an ideal way to clean your teeth naturally and avoid chemicals that may cause certain diseases.

It’s no surprise that numerous people turn to mouth rinse when their breath needs a lift – it’s quickly effective and very convenient.

The effectiveness of mouthwashes comes down to their ingredients. Because not all mouthwashes are made equal, and when you purchase a bottle, you are confronted with multiple stuffs that all tout the same thing. Whereas some strictly provide a fresh aroma, others penetrate deeper to reduce the germs causing the unpleasant smell.  

5 Homemade Mouthwash Recipes

There are various natural ingredients with great anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can be used as a mouthwash, including eucalyptus, sage, oregano, basil, rosemary, myrrh, goldenseal, ginger, cardamom, fennel, peppermint, etc.

Following, we present you 5 amazing homemade mouthwash recipes to help you prevent gingivitis and reduce inflammation: 

1. Baking Soda and Essential Oils Mouthwash 

The great detoxifying properties of Neem reduces plaque, combat periodontal diseases like infected swollen gums (gingivitis) etc., which may result in other oral health problems like ulcers, sore gums, bleeding gums, etc. When baking soda dissolves in water, it gains exceptional alkaline properties, which makes it great for sensitive teeth.

Thyme oil comprises 20-54% of thymol, which an antiseptic agent – the main ingredient of Listerine mouthwash. This specific mouthwash (containing peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and baking soda) makes a fantastic remedy for dry mouth.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• ½ cup of warm water
• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1-2 drops of tea tree oil
• 1-2 drops of thyme essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of Neem oil
• 1 teaspoon raw honey (natural sweetener)

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in the warm water and mix thoroughly. Your mouthwash is ready to use!

2. Cinnamon and Clove Oils Mouthwash 

This mouthwash is really effective for bad breath (halitosis). The clove oil not only freshens the breath but also helps fight cavities. Cinnamon has been commonly used in many toothpastes. Scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago proved that cinnamon-flavored chewing gum eliminates bacteria in the mouth. The gum contains a potent compound which gives cinnamon it’s color and flavor – known as cinnamic aldehyde – a plant essential oil that inhibits the progress of cavity causing bacteria.

 Ingredients

• 1 cup distilled water
• 10-15 drops clove oil
• 10-15 drops cinnamon oil

Directions:

Add the clove oil and cinnamon oil in the distilled water. Mix well. You are done!

Since the shelf life of this mouth rinse is long – you can store it in a bottle and use it for an indefinite period of time.

Facts About Mouthwash

Mouthwash, mouth bath, oral rinse, or mouth rinse, is a popular refreshing liquid that can be held in the moth passively, rinsed around the mouth, or may be gargled.

Generally, mouthwashes are an antibacterial solution intended to decrease the microbial load in the oral cavity, even though other mouthwashes may be given for some other reasons such as for their anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, or analgesic action. Furthermore, some mouth baths act as saliva alternates to neutralize acid and keep the mouth moist in dry mouth (xerostomia). Cosmetic mouth rinses briefly reduce or control bad breath and leave your mouth with an uplifting, pleasant taste.

Do I need a mouthwash?

Your dentist may advise you whether you need a mouth bath depending on your oral health requirements. Rinsing helps eliminate debris from the mouth. It could be done after or sometimes before brushing, but it’s not a substitute for flossing or brushing. Your dentist may recommend, or you may consider, using a mouth rinse with antimicrobial agents or fluoride as part of your regular dental hygiene routine.

Plus, if you have difficulty flossing and brushing, a mouthwash may provide extra protection against periodontal (gum) disease and cavities. Anti-cavity solutions with fluoride aid protect tooth enamel. Usually dentists prescribe special rinses for people who have had periodontal surgery.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Vanilla Essential Oil Mouthwash 

Apple cider vinegar in conjunction with saline water (or baking soda) actually helps to remove stains and whiten the teeth.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 drops of vanilla essential oil (antioxidant)

Directions:

Add the salt in the water and mix well to create salt (saline) water. Next, add the rest of the ingredients and mix once again. You are done! Store in a jar. Rinse your mouth with this incredibly healthy solution, whenever you need.

Tip: Saline water (salt mixed with water) is ideal for people receiving chemotherapy.

4. Lemon Mouthwash 

The anti-bacterial and acidic properties of lemon help to destroy moth bacteria, provide brighter teeth, and prevent many oral diseases.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon of aloe Vera gel
• 10 drops bergamot essential oil
• 6 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together. Your revitalizing lemon mouthwash is ready to use!

5. Rosemary and Mint Mouthwash

Suffering from bad breath even after you brush your teeth? Then, this mouthwash is ideal for you!

Rosemary is loaded with great antioxidants and is especially effective for reducing bad breath and soothing irritated gums. Mint is a is a strong antiseptic, reducing germs and helping any wounds in the mouth heal more quickly.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon each of fresh mint leaves, rosemary leaves, and anise seeds

Directions:

Place the ingredient in the water and bring to boil. Remove from the head and let it cool down. Steep and use.

The Benefits of Homemade Mouthwash

 There are multiple benefits for using homemade mouthwash recipes. Here are some of the benefits:

• Inexpensive: Natural mouthwash will be a fraction of the cost of store bought mouth rinses with the equal or even better performance;
• No harmful chemicals: The Producers often include preservatives, artificial sweeteners, dyes, and many other chemicals, which are harmful to us or the environment. In the past years, there were some researchers who suggested that using commercial mouthwashes may cause some forms of cancer – if you use mouthwash more than 2 times a day. So, when you make your own mouth rinse, you know precisely what is it and can tender it to your personal needs.
• Alcohol-free: It’s really hard to find quality mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol that causes bad breath and dries out the mouth. If you make homemade you could choose not to include alcohol.
• You control the quality of ingredients: In order to optimize profits some manufacturing might choose to cut certain costs by using ingredients of questionable quality. But, when you make your own mouth rinse you can choose to use ingredients of only the best quality.

Conclusion:

Homemade mouthwash recipes can be an ideal way to create your own natural mouth rinse, free from chemicals. These mouthwashes can help reduce bad breath. But, if you must frequently use a breath freshener or mouth rinse in order to hide unpleasant mouth smell, it would be best to visit your dentist to check if there is an underlying cause that could be corrected.

References:

Breathmd.com    Ada.org