DIY natural mouthwashes are as effective in eliminating meal odor as store-bought ones. Moreover, they are cost-effective, chemical-free, may not sting, and help maintain oral hygiene. It is easy to prepare mouthwashes at home. If you frequently use mouthwashes, switching to a natural product is best. Read on to learn how to prepare natural mouthwashes at home and how they may work. The benefits of including a mouthwash in your oral hygiene regimen are (1):
Makes other oral regimens like flossing and brushing more effective Decreases oral cavities Strengthens your teeth and gums (in the presence of fluoride) Freshens your breath Prevents plaque build-up Loosens any debris inside your mouth (when used before brushing) Helps treat mouth sores
Now that you are aware of the uses of mouthwashes, let us look at how they work.
How Effectively Do Mouthwashes Work?
Oral rinses are an integral part of your oral hygiene. They contain a variety of ingredients, such as fluoride and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), that help battle the bad bacteria in the mouth (2). Other common ingredients used in mouthwashes include povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, and essential oils. These compounds help reduce plaque build-up and also fight oral germs (3). Studies also state that adding an oral rinse to your oral hygiene regimen can treat plaque and gingivitis more effectively as compared to brushing alone (4). While you can get hold of a variety of mouthwashes in the market, you can also make one at home. The following are some simple yet effective recipes to make your own mouthwashes.
Recipes For Homemade Mouthwashes
Best Homemade Mouthwashes
1. Baking Soda
You Will Need
½ teaspoon of baking soda or sodium bicarbonate ½ glass of warm water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 3-4 times daily. Why This Works Baking soda is a great fix for bad breath and oral bacteria. Its alkaline nature can increase salivary pH (5). This can help neutralize the acids produced by oral bacteria upon consumption of soda drinks and caffeine.
2. Coconut Oil
You Will Need 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You must do this once daily, prior to brushing your teeth. Why This Works Oil pulling with coconut oil is not only good for your oral hygiene but is also a great way to detoxify your body. It can help in decreasing plaque formation as well as plaque-induced gingivitis (6).
3. Salt
You Will Need
½ teaspoon of table salt ½ glass of warm water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 2-3 times daily, following a meal. Why This Works Rinsing your mouth with salt water is almost as effective as any other over-the-counter mouthwashes that contain compounds like chlorhexidine. It can help in reducing dental plaque as well as the oral microbial count (7).
4. Aloe Vera Juice
You Will Need
½ cup of aloe vera juice ½ cup of distilled water ½ teaspoon of baking soda
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 3-4 times daily. Why This Works Aloe vera mouth rinses can be effective in reducing periodontal indices. They can also help reduce gingival bleeding and plaque (8).
5. Essential Oils
a. Peppermint Oil
You Will Need
2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil 1 cup of distilled water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this 2-3 times daily, preferably after every meal. Why This Works Peppermint oil mouthwashes are especially effective in combating halitosis (bad breath) (9).
b. Cinnamon Oil
You Will Need
2-3 drops of cinnamon essential oil 1 cup of distilled water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this multiple times daily. Why This Works Cinnamon oil is antibacterial and is effective in the treatment of dental caries caused by oral bacteria (10)
c. Tea Tree Oil
You Will Need
1-2 drops of tea tree oil ½ cup of distilled water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this 2-3 times daily, preferably after every meal. Is vinegar good for mouthwash? White vinegar and apple cider vinegar are mildly acidic, which may deter the growth of the bacteria in the mouth. However, the same acidity may damage tooth enamel and hence it is advisable to dilute it before using it as a mouthwash. Can baking soda damage your teeth? Baking soda is abrasive in nature and may damage teeth if used aggressively or frequently. However, as a mouthrinse, it may be safe for use. Did you find this post helpful? Which mouthwash are you going to try? Share your feedback and experience with us in the comments box below.
