7 Homemade Mouthwashes For Maintaining Oral Hygiene

Overall health isn’t possible without good oral hygiene. It affects eating, talking, and everything in between. While the ways to maintain oral health is regular brushing and flossing, mouthwashes add extra benefits. Sadly, commercial mouthwashes are full of alcohol, additives, and unwanted chemicals. And what’s up with the glowing green dye? It isn’t needed for healthy teeth!

Make your own mouthwash instead. Homemade versions are totally natural but can still fight cavities and gingivitis – two of the most common oral problems.¹ You can also say goodbye to bad breath. Ready to get mixing?

7 Easy-To-Follow Mouthwash Recipes

1. Neem Mouthwash

Many natural types of mouthwash and toothpaste contain neem, a powerful anti-bacterial. Neem contains compounds called isoprenoids that fight inflammation, kill oral bacteria, and prevent germs from sticking to the teeth.² So, neem is a must for your homemade mouthwash!

2. Tea Tree Oil Mouthwash

Tea tree oil is another strong antiseptic. It contains terpene compounds, which fight oral cavity germs.³ However, tea tree oil is toxic when consumed, so never swallow it.⁴

Directions

• Add 5 drops of tea tree oil to 2 cups of distilled water.
• Stir well.

3. Peppermint Mouthwash

Mint is no stranger to oral hygiene. The scent is so fresh, making it a classic mouthwash flavor. It’s best for fighting bad breath, so you’ll need another anti-bacterial component.

Directions

• Add 5 drops of peppermint oil to 2 cups of distilled water.
• Add 5 drops of an antibacterial oil, like tea tree or neem oil.
• Mix well.

4. Salt Mouthwash

This is as simple as it gets! Salt water is a traditional remedy for mouth sores, inflamed gums, and bad breath. Open sores might sting, so use less salt if necessary.

Directions

• Add ½ to 1 teaspoon salt to lukewarm water.
• Stir well.
• If you can’t stand the taste, add a drop of peppermint oil.

5. Turmeric Clove Mouthwash

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. In a mouthwash, this natural remedy will shine! It works just as well as chlorhexidine, a bitter prescription mouthwash that’s linked to stained teeth. Turmeric, however, won’t have this effect.⁵

Clove, on the other hand, has a spicy flavor, making it the perfect partner for turmeric. The oil contains eugenol, an anti-bacterial compound. In fact, clove essential oil is a traditional remedy for oral problems like canker sores.⁶

Directions

• Add 5 drops of turmeric essential oil to 1 cup of distilled water.
• Add 3 drops of clove essential oil.
• Mix until combined.

6. Coconut Oil Mouthwash

In recent years, coconut oil pulling has become a trend. This practice takes advantage of coconut oil’s plaque-fighting abilities. According to the Nigerian Medical Journal, it can even fight gingivitis and harmful bacteria.⁷ If you’re not a fan of oil pulling, try a mouthwash instead.

Directions

• Combine ½ cup of distilled water and 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil.
• Add 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil.
• Stir until the ingredients are combined.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash

Hydrogen peroxide is a gentle, inexpensive mouthwash. Studies have shown that it can fight plaque and stains.⁸ At the same time, hydrogen peroxide will also maintain oral microbial balance.⁹

Directions

• Combine 1 cup of 2 percent hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of distilled water.
• Mix well.

How To Use

Put a tablespoon of mouthwash in your mouth. To prevent cross-contamination, use a separate spoon or small cup. Swish around for 20 to 30 seconds then spit out. Never swallow mouthwash.

Directions For Storage

Proper storage will make your mouthwash last. Keep it in an amber or cobalt glass bottle, which will protect it from UV rays. Close tightly when not in use and store in a cool and dark area.

Mouthwash should never be swallowed. It doesn’t matter if it was store-bought or homemade. If you have kids, don’t let them use mouthwash unless they know how to spit it out.