By now you all should know that I love to make my own natural health, home, and beauty products.
I love them because they work and I love them because they’re frugal.
So when I was using my fancy-pants “eco friendly, 100% natural” mouthwash the other day, I thought to myself, “I think I could make this and save myself some money!”
So I did.
Benefits of Using Homemade Mouthwash
Good oral care is vital to our health and vice versa. Health and diet have even been know to heal cavities! Rinsing out the mouth with a cleansing mouthwash is a large part of good oral hygiene. And there are many benefits to making your own:
- It’s cheap. You can create your own mouthwash at a fraction of the cost of store-bought and still experience excellent results.
- You control the ingredients. Making your own mouthwash allows you to control the quality of that which you put into your mouth.
- No hidden chemicals. Commercially prepared products are often heavy-laden with additives such as preservatives, dyes, artificial sweeteners and a multitude of harmful chemicals. Eliminate them all by making your own!
Variety of Homemade Mouthwash Recipes
There are a variety of different homemade mouthwash recipes to meet the needs of every individual. Here are just a few:
Basic Mouthwash: 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 3 drops peppermint essential oils. Mix all ingredients in a glass jar and shake well. Swish in mouth, then spit out. Store on bathroom counter.
Old-Fashioned Disinfectant Mouthwash: 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Combine ingredients and store in a glass jar. Shake well prior to use. Swish mixture in mouth, then spit out. Will keep indefinitely on the counter.
Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash: 1 part hydrogen peroxide mixed with 1 part water. Swish mouthwash in mouth, then spit out. Mix enough for single use and discard extra solution.
Lemon Whitening Mouthwash: Not really a mouthwash, but you can rub a piece of lemon on stained teeth for a whitening effect.
Herbal Mouthwash: Create an herbal infusion by steeping 2 cups of boiling water, 1/2 ounce of whole cloves, 1 ounce of Oregon grape root, and 1 ounce of rosemary in a pint-sized glass mason jar, overnight. In the morning strain the infusion using a piece of cheesecloth. Swish in mouth, the spit out. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Will keep for 1 week.
Simple Essential Oil Mouthwash: To 1 cup of water add 20 drops of either cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, or tea tree oil. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Shake well prior to each use in order to distribute the essential oils. Will keep on the bathroom counter indefinitely.
Antiseptic Homemade Mouthwash Recipe
Mouthwash Ingredients
- 4 ounces (120 ml) peppermint hydrosol (flower water)
- 4 ounces (120 ml) strong herbal infusion made with echinacea angustifolia root, sage leaves, and peppermint leaves
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) thyme extract
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) myrrh gum extract
- 5-10 drops 100% wild-crafted mint flavor extract
Mouthwash Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a pint-sized glass mason jar.
- Shake well to blend.
To use
Shake well prior to use. Swish in mouth for 30 seconds, then spit out. Will store in glass jar on bathroom counter indefinitely.
Notes
Myrrh gum has broad-spectrum antiseptic properties. It is also well known as an anti-inflammatory — excellent for use in treatment of oral ailments…namely gum disease.
Where Can I Get This Stuff?
–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their raw materials. And be sure to purchase all of your non-GMO, strictly medicinal herbal seeds for your garden from them too! It’s your one-stop-shop!
–Health doesn’t come from plastic bottles. Vitality grows naturally from the way you live your life. If you want to learn more about herbs as medicine and as food, and if you’re just too busy to enroll in an in-person program, join the Herbal Academy of New England for a comprehensive and convenient online herbal course you can complete anywhere and anytime!
Your turn! Ever tried to make an herbal mouthwash at home before? If not, give this one a go!
Homemade Bread Recipe: In an Upcycled Can for Fun!
Lemon juice has been known to demineralize teeth, so I would be careful rubbing it on your teeth on a regular basis. Other than that, I think it would be interesting to try some of these recipes.
My best friends mother used to make her use lemons to keep her teeth white. Today, she has no teeth because the of the lemons. I would not recommend the use of lemons for whitening teeth.
These are great recipes!!! I also brush my teeth with sea salt 😉
OMG!! do not use sea salt on your teeth. it will rub away all of your enamel.
Actually, I was taught to mix sea salt with baking soda. Then wet your tooth brush and dip into salt & soda mixture. The salt will strengthen your guns and the soda cleans and deodorizes. I think I was Mildred Carter who taught this in her “reflexology” book. I think she said that glycerine is what made your gums soften and cause so many dental issues
Don’t accept advice from anyone who writes books promoting reflexology. Anyone who believes in reflexology has already given up on facts and has chosen ‘whatever I feel like believing in” instead.
Salt and baking soda, like rigid brushes, do have the potential to damage your teeth and gums.
I’m not sure about glycerin, but since Carter is wrong about so many other things, she’s not very likely to be right about this.
Be careful about what ppl say about reflexology. It isn’t about giving up. Its about feeling better and doing naturally,safe and easy. Things take tie.e to heal and work correctly in the body.body. My father was a teacher and a student of reflexology and passed it to my and my brother. It has done very well for me and my family.
I’ve tried swishing my mouth with peroxide….but I can’t handle the foaming. It makes me gag every time! LOL I have a similar recipe as the one at the top with peppermint oil. Works great.
Didn’t know the tip about clove oil and cavities. Thanks!
Hardly anyone recommends swishing your mouth directly with the peroxide you buy at the store. Most people who advocate for peroxide suggest you dilute it further, at least 2:1. I go 3:1, and mix two cups water with one cup hydrogen peroxide. This really cuts back on the foaming.
Love these! Just skip the clove one if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, don’t brush your teeth after using the lemon (same if drinking water with lemon or lime) the acid acts like sandpaper on your teeth when brushing!
just wondering why not while pregnant or breastfeeding new at this and havent found that answer yet
Same with some essential oils.
I recently read that the glycerin in regular toothpaste coats the teeth, preventing mineralization….are there different types of glycerin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRf0u_2rcHE
This is a video of a great homemade toothpaste recipe using safe natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals. This toothpaste helps with sensitive teeth and to remineralization of teeth. No glycerin in this recipe. It is easy to make and I found the ingredients items on Amazon and for essential oils at bulkapothecary.com/ for discount prices. I am not an affiliate I just make my own products and recently found these resources for saving money on these items. I am a dental assistant. Also if you choose to make your own toothpaste purchasing the 3 oz. plastic BPA free gootoobs (also found on Amazon) are perfect for storing and dispensing your toothpaste. There are quite a few toothpaste recipes that do not contain glycerin if you google the subject. Just in case you were interested in trying your hand at making your own.
We’ve been making our own mouthwash with the water, baking soda and peppermint essential oil recipe for ages! I get kind of tired of the taste of baking soda, however. So I’m glad to see these new recipes to try.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your post! I’ve been wanting to get my son started on using mouthwash, but…the stuff at the health food store is too expensive and I won’t buy him the stuff at the regular grocery stores.
My mom, who went through a long battle with periodontal disease, swears by clove oil. It’s great stuff!
Thank you again!
Forgive me for sounding silly but what exactly are the reasons to use mouthwash in the first place? I’ve never really understood the point. We gargle for sore throats sometimes but mouthwash always seemed like an advertising ploy. Is it mainly for freshening the mouth?
I know I think contrary to mainstream dental practice in many ways: I believe dental health lies nearly completely in the diet, that blood sugar rather than sugar in the mouth causes caries. Since we began eating a “traditional” foods diet, including bone broths, plenty of animal fats and coconut oil and especially after we started supplementing our vitamin D-3 (because of our far north latitude) we saw much improved dental visits. I’ve even witnessed re-enameling and healing of small cavities.
I gave up flossing years ago (when my gums bled fairly easily) and have had zero new caries since then and on the rare occasion when I floss to get something out from between teeth I get no blood anymore.
There is really no need for using a disinfectant mouthwash on a regular basis! Bacteria in your mouth will help you balance the equilibrium of overall health. So a disinfectant will only kill the helpful bacteria and allow space for problems to appear. This way you have to keep using a mouthwash everyday. Stop doing that (on the first days sores will probably appear). After a balance is attained in your mouth flora, you’ll stop having problems.
As for cavities and sores, they are caused by bacteria and fungi that feed on the sugar on your teeth: that’s why brushing is a bi-daily activity. Also, when the acid of your stomach is too much (for eating too many proteins, too much food, or too much fat) the mouth flora will be out of balance and problems might appear. Last, sores might be a first sign of your immune system breaking down. Listen to your body in order to maintain lifelong health!
The more you floss the less your gums will bleed. Use 1tsp salt to 8oz glass of warm water to rinse with a couple times a day to help get your gingiva / gums health.you may not have caries/ cavities yet but that doesn’t mean you don’t have perio disease, which can lead to loosing teeth. Good luck.
This is true! Thanks for posting!
I only use it when I get a canker sore as it makes it heal much faster.
We don’t use glycerine in our tooth products because it coats teeth and prevents remineralization. I would be concerned about swishing it in my mouth after brushing because it would coat your teeth and then you have the same issue as if you were brushing with it. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I suspect that’s the case. I do like the cider vinegar and baking soda options and have used them before! Great post.
Actually, what you said is complete b.s. I’ve actually researched this issue for the past twenty years and I encourage you to read this about Gerald F. Judd, PhD, and his ignorant comments about glycerine.
http://mizar5.com/keyes.html#Glycerin
Charming.
And btw after 20 years’ research I would expect a somewhat more substantial and nuanced critique than ‘complete bs’. But then again I’ve never heard of anyone researching mouthwash for 20 years.
LOL. I was thinking the same!
Jen & Annie, If you re-read Mark’s post, he writes about having researched the ‘issue’ not ‘mouthwash’, in particular. I want to pose a question to those who parrot the Judd/glycerine mis-information: If glycerine does, in fact, coat the teeth, preventing re-mineralization, wouldn’t it stand to reason, therefore, that perhaps that same coating would also prevent de-mineralization as well? It would stand to reason then that glycerine might actually be a good thing, no? Personally, I think glycerine might actually be beneficial to use, not because of the supposed ‘coating’ property, rather, because it has antimicrobial properties as well as being a humectant or moisturizer, which might just be beneficial to those who want to help preserve their gum tissue and prevent or reverse gum recession due to periodontal infection. Those who suffer from xerostomia or ‘dry mouth’ might be particularly interested…those legally ‘cotton-mouthed’ in Colorado, perhaps?
He was making the point, there is no research to support the claim glycerin in toothpaste or mouthwash will stop re-mineralization of your teeth because it coats your teeth. He’s right. Where is the research?
I love all of the easy, natural options! Mouthwash is one thing I’ve never ventured to try at home because I thought it would be too difficult! Can’t wait to try this one!
I use a mix of essential oils like clove, tea tree, etc. and swish those around with some water. I also use EO’s to disinfect my toothbrush. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
what is EO’s?
I believe that EO’s refer to Essential Oils.
I use peroxide, water and peppermint essential oil.
Hi,
I just found your blog a couple days ago and I love it!!! So many great ideas!!
But, I’m curious if there is a difference between myrrh gum and myrrh essential oil? I have never used myrrh gum, but I do have myrrh essential oil. Would that work?
Do you think you could replace the alcohol with peroxide or just leave it out entirely?
I think the peroxide would be too strong. I’ve often used 1part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water for a disinfectant mouthwash/gargle…also hydrogen peroxide alone could induce vomiting.
Thats what I thought too. I use equal parts of peroxide with warm water and after reading these comments I’m also going to add peppermint oil to it. The one thing I haven’t done yet is using baking soda and peroxide together. Because I thought it would cause the mix to bubble up too much?
Always great posts here! Recently I started using a homemade toothpaste, coconut oil, xylitol, baking soda, sea salt, glycerin (which I just read about above maybe not the best ingredient) and peppermint EO, and my teeth feel cleaner than the leading natural toothpaste brands I have used. I’d like to discover a better way to package it tho. I learned a few years ago that glass mason jars were not great in the bathrm….after one smashed on my tub floor while I was in the shower….doing my baking soda, apple cider vin. hair regime…lol….but toothpaste..??
Not sure how thick your homemade toothpaste is, but maybe you could put the mixture into a plastic bag, cut a corner off, then pipe it out there. People do that for icings/frostings when they don’t have icing bags.
patty-Jean, in the travel section of wal mart they have these small round containers two for a buck. I use those for my homemade toothepaste. 1 1/2 tb coconut oil, 1 1/2 tb baking soda, and about 10 drops peppermint e.o. (use more oil if you’d like a stronger mint taste). Holds it perfectly fills it all the way to top though so need to be careful the first few uses.
I use little plastic bottles with a pointed tip (and cap) that I buy inexpensively at the local craft store. I think they are in the beading type section with all of those handy little containers. It is a bit troublesome getting my clay based toothpaste in it, but it goes in with patience and a popcycle stick 🙂
ever thought of putting mix in a plastic lunch bag first cut corner and squeeze into your little bottle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRf0u_2rcHE
This is a video of a great homemade toothpaste recipe using safe natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals. This toothpaste helps with sensitive teeth and to remineralization of teeth. No glycerin in this recipe. It is easy to make and I found the ingredients items on Amazon and for essential oils at bulkapothecary.com/ for discount prices. I am not an affiliate I just make my own products and recently found these resources for saving money on these items. I am a dental assistant. Also if you choose to make your own toothpaste purchasing the 3 oz. plastic BPA free gootoobs (also found on Amazon) are perfect for storing and dispensing your toothpaste. There are quite a few toothpaste recipes that do not contain glycerin if you google the subject. Just in case you were interested in trying your hand at making your own.
Just a note about the Gootoobs…they fill easily with this recipe if mixing in a glass measuring cup with a spout or any spouted cup and if need a funnel. The toothpaste squeezes out/dispenses just the same as a commercial toothpaste tube. You don’t want to dip your toothbrush in a container of toothpaste as it will contaminate the whole batch of toothpaste especially if more than one person is using it.
I like to use fennel seed essential oil along with a bit of peppermint in my mouthwash, which has a very small amount of alcohol and purified water. I find the fennel gives a sweetness without having to use xylitol – same for homemade toothpastes and powders. I like coconut oil with baking soda and some fennel and peppermint EO and add cinnamon/clove powder – just a touch for a change. Coconut oil is antimicrobial, as most probably know.
As for jars in the bathroom – we are really careful. We have gotten rid of most of the plastic containers in our home – all for food and only use mason jars, vintage glass refrigerator dishes. I keep my diluted apple cider vinegar hair rinse in a pint size jam jar in the shower. We don’t have kids so it is easier for us that way. Perhaps you could try making a terry cloth pocket to hold the jars, washing as needed to keep them fresh.
Do you rinse with water after gargleing / washing with 50/50 hydrogen peroxide? If so, how long do you wait to rinse?
Is the essential oil cinnamon leaf or cinnamon bark? 🙂
Is the essential oil cinnamon bark or cinnamon leaf? 🙂
I made a few different mouthwashes awhile back (a year or two ago). While they were pleasant-tasting and did help with something specific at the time, we just don’t use mouthwash regularly. I looked through my hand-written book that I keep for jotting down recipes and I didn’t see them in there, so it must have been longer ago than when I started the journal. I am bummed since the one I ended up using helped with some issues I am having again right now. I may try some of the above ideas in mini-sizes.
Thank you for posting these! I love to make all my own beauty products as well and am always searching for blogs with ideas I can try. I have my own recipes for no poo shampoo and vinegar rinse, and other hair care and body recipes on my blog at: blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com.
Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
From what I understand you should not use peroxide if you have metal fillings. It causes off gassing of the fillings which is toxic to your health.
Just curious, in your post about tooth powders you discuss the harmful effects of glycerin and yet it is used in the antiseptic mouthwash. Is it okay to coat your teeth after you brush or should glycerin just not be used? What is the purpose of glycerin in this recipe?
I have a couple of kids who have pretty horrible breath — halitosis for sure. Trust me, I have done it all — flossing and brushing, of course; parsley pills, eating natural honey (the really good stuff). So I am wondering if this will help… and I am open to any other suggestions! Their breath is bad and very strong, so it is evident even from a distance.
Delores
I would suggest acidophiles and/or chlorophyll. Halitosis comes from deeper than the mouth in your case (or at least from the sounds of it). If nothing from the dental region is resolving the problem then it very well could be deeper like tonsils, esophagus and/or stomach and intestines. With each person having a very unique body one could easily have something causing the issue in the esophagus while the other has an issue in the stomach. I have a cat with it in the stomach and finally resorted to acidophiles and chlorophyll and BOTH were needed to combat the situation as he has developed a digestive issue of some sort that literally gave him dragon breath.
Best of luck 🙂
Hi Delores, that sounds like there may be some other issue further on down the line.
Halitosis can be caused by any number of things. A woman I know had halitosis until she had a tooth, that had gone through a root-canal, pulled – there was food perpetually stuck in the hollow tooth – now no bad breath. Also, this is a new dentist who pulled the tooth, she will never return to the guy who did botched the root canal. I read an article the other day, mercola.com, that we should not get root canals – it leaves a dead decaying part of our body to negatively affect our health later. I’ve had 2 root canals and had not thought about it until reading that article.
Agreement with the Root Canal! It caused my husband pneumonia and later on he died from lung cancer.
We have just had some interaction with an ENT for a medical issue, and where told that the hallatosis could be from stones on the tonsil. I don’t know anything more, but you could research it. My husband has had this problem for the 30 years I have known him, and this was an explanation that made sense since he would periodically have this bad breath that rinses had no effect on,
Karen, All my life I had dragon-poo breath, terrible, horrible, embarassing breath! Recently I found out yeast over growth and bad bacteria in our body will affect our breath, giving us poo breath in a horrible way! Sugar feeds the bad bacteria, so that’s the number one thing to stay clear from. Sugar, junk food, sodas along with any type of food that turns into sugar, such as white rice, white bread, pasta, etc. Also it is important to start taking probiotics to put in the good bacteria to win the battle. I started doing this and in just 1 day, thank God, my breath has improved 100%. Google “killing bad bacteria” and you will find a whole list of things to take, but mostly the recommendation will be stop feeding the bad bacteria and bring in the probiotics. I hope that helps, try it, you will be happy you did!
I had really bad breath and tonsil stones for years. I didn’t realize they were the cause of my bad breath! I take Zeal which has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying herbs in it. I prefer the all-in-one aspect of it, but you can try your own blend. It’s helped me sooo much! Tonsil stones have a distinct almost sulphur smell to them. Kinda like having something rotting….gross I know, but you’ll know it when you smell it!
Get a toung cleaner for each child. I like the simplest, from my dentist, one piece of flexible plastic with two sizes of teeth. REALLY HELPS.
Look up oil pulling with coconut oil it will fix the problem if done as directed
great posts……amazing ……..and helpful….
I have a water ionizer which makes antibacterial ionized acidic water. I simply add a few drops of peppermint or spearmint essential oil to the acidic water and swoosh 🙂 The unflavored acidic water is also great to gargle with for sore throats among many other things.
I made your antiseptic mouthwas a week ago and I love it. I added orange oil and tea tree. Its a nice combo.
Great tips.
Thank you.
I heard the inside of a banana peel is supposed to be good for whitening teeth. Anyone try this?
I have tried it, and it helps some, but I feel that you have to do it basically every day and I don’t eat bananas every day! 🙂 but I have started oil pulling every morning and my teeth look so much better! There’s lots of resources out there if you google it, but basically I swish 1 tablespoon of olive oil every morning and then spit it out and rinse out my mouth.
Can I use something besides rum in the antiseptic wash? Can’t stand the taste. Thanks!!
I did it for about 4 days a month ago, then stopped basically because I didn’t; have any bananas. It worked for me. After doing it once you might even see a difference. After 4 days it was definitely a shade lighter. They way you have to do it two weeks straight to get good results.
Thanks so much for posting these! I have made a version of your antiseptic one with whiskey (the only thing I had in the house, and I don’t want to use a molasses based spirit as I am very allergic to sugar), clove and cinnamon, and I love it!
However, I’ve just begun wondering if it’s okay to use spirits. Aren’t there some natural sugars left in them? And if so, won’t it harm your teeth to put it in your mouth after you’ve brushed?
I’d love to hear what you all think!
Hi.I’m glad to hear that there are other people who have a severe allergy to sugar. I can’t have it at all. If I do eat it ,even a very small amount, I get panic attaches. I have found out that if you acciddently have sugar take 2000 mg of V-C. I know it works, so when I go out and am not sure if there is sugar or sugar products in a dish I take 2000mg before I eat and I have no problems. I can’t even use Splenda. The only sweeteners that I can use is honey and maple syrup.
Are there others out there with the same problem?
Thanks.
Joan
I make my own herbal mouthwash at home using this recipe: http://JetCityOrange.com/mouthwash/
Do you recommend a specific place to purchase the essential oils?
you could purchase the essential oils at a botanical store, whole foods or spa supply.
I’ve tried the Powerful Natural Mouthwash recipe on EHow, but my dentist (a very enlightened man) made an additional suggestion (peppermint essential oil), so here’s the complete (modified) recipe:
Combine:
1 cup distilled water
1 TBSP xylitol (note research on effects for inhibiting tooth decay; also, it’s alkaline)
1/2 TSP baking soda (alkaline environment inhibits acidic decay-causing bacteria)
1/2 TSP sea salt (or pink Himalayan salt) (carries on the alkaline theme)
3 drops GSE (aka Grapefruit Seed Extract). Very good for mouth and tooth and gum health
1-2 drops Clove essential oil (very good for mouth and tooth and gum health)
1-2 drops Peppermint essential oil (very good for wiping out bad mouth bacteria)
Shake vigorously while adding dry ingredients to promote dissolving, and shake when adding the essential oils to promote dispersion; shake before using to keep everything mixed.
Note: you can get essential oils (and the Xylitol) from good health food stores, or from Amazon.com.
I love how fresh this leaves my mouth. Also, after you swish it around in your mouth, don’t rinse with water–there’s nothing in this mouthwash that is toxic or dangerous or bad, even if you were to swallow it.
Duncan:
Would you mind giving me the name/ location of your dentist? I live in California.
Dr. Mike Senegal, Michigan Ave., Chicago IL
Duncan, Is this mixture safe to store in a container on a bathroom counter or does it need refrigeration? How do you recommend storing it, and how long is the shelf life? Thanks!
I mix it up 4 cups at a time. I store it in a glass jar or a large white mouthwash container, then transfer it to a smaller white plastic mouthwash container for my daily use. I haven’t had any problems with this system for the last year.
See my Web site for further instructions on use of my Powerful Natural Mouthwash in concert with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide, a new toothpaste I recently discovered and really love, brushing, and flossing.
I store it in my bathroom under the sink. I’m not aware that any of the ingredients need refrigeration. I suppose that the oil in the recipe might deteriorate if left unused for 1 or more years. I use 4 cups up within a month or so. (Essential oils by themselves, as long as they’re not exposed to heat or oxygen or mixed with an oil like sesame oil, do not deteriorate in my experience.)
However, though I haven’t had problems using plastic containers, I have now decided to switch to all glass containers. Even though in very dilute form, I want to prevent any reaction between the essential oils and the container. I’m hoping the glass will keep the mouthwash very fresh; as I’m getting to the end of a 64-ounce batch (it takes about 3-4 weeks), the mouthwash isn’t quite as zingy.
Hi,
I have a question regarding the ingredients for the basic mouthwash. When I went to the store to buy the essential oil (peppermint) they told me that they’re not officially safe for human consumption, they didn’t seem to think it was a good idea to use them for the mouthwash making. They were the Aura Cacia brand of essential oils. They then pointed me toward the peppermint oil in the baking section but that was a mixture of “sunflower seed oil” and “peppermint oil”.
Do you have a certain brand of essential oil you recommend? Or if you use or know someone who uses Aura Cacia?
Thank you!
Essential oils are incredibly concentrated. Ones like peppermint essential oil are especially concentrated. We use essential oils in very minute concentrations, for instance 2 drops of peppermint essential oil in a cup of water. See my Powerful Natural Mouthwash formula on my Web site for a recipe I use that includes very small amounts of GSE, peppermint essential oil and clove essential oil.
I like Auro Catia, Also Maharishi VedAroma brands. Use the essential oils, not “baking” oils, which seem to be watered down. But use them VERY sparingly, as seen in my recipe.
IS HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SAFE TO INGEST?
NO. It makes you PUKE !
I never “ingest” hydrogen peroxide, even in the 1.5% concentration I use. Instead, I swish it vigorously in my mouth for up to a minute two, expel it, then immediately rinse out my mouth with water to get it all gone. Then I use my Powerful Natural Mouthwash to move into powerful natural tooth health territory.
Myrrh Gum is hard to come by, do you know where I can find it in oil form at a commercial store? Or is it exclusively bought online somewhere? If so, what’s a trustworthy site that sells it at a reasonable price?
Look for essential oils in your health food store. You’ll find Myrrh essential oil. It’s good stuff, especially when mixed with Frankincense essential oil, and a tiny bit of gold dust.
Why do you need your toothpaste to be sweet?
Xylitol is a natural alcohol sugar. While ingesting large amounts can cause indigestion or loose bowels, it is as sweet as sugar, and actually helps PREVENT tooth decay. That’s why you see it in natural mouthwashes and even in sugarless gum. Since I was a kid I’ve been used to sweet toothpastes. Using a mouthwash or a toothpaste with xylitol is better than using one containing an artificial sweetener. IMHO.
Can’t use alcohol, any other suggestions?
Would you recommend using the antiseptic mouthwash daily if you reduce the alcohol content?
We produce newsletters for dentists, along with other medical professionals. One thing I would say definitively is, DO NOT use acids or vinegar in any form in mouthwashes unless you intend to immediately turn around and de-acidify your mouth. Acids eat enamel. You’ve probably seen the trick where you immerse an egg in cola or vinegar for a time, and pull it out later to examine the effect. The shell is no longer hard. Instead, it’s mushy and flexible. Well, that’s what it does to your teeth.
Also, rarely or never brush with something like baking soda. While it is considered “mildly” abrasive, it’s plenty abrasive enough for its effects to be felt (lost enamel) in a relatively short time period. This won’t be a problem if you’re in your 20s. But you want your teeth to last until your 50s and 60s. Consider the long term effects.
Paul M. Foster,
What about salt? I was going to make a mouthwash with salt, mainly to help my inflamed gums but I hear it is abrasive on the enamel.
In my recipe for Powerful Natural Mouthwash, salt is an ingredient. It adds to the alkaline quality of the mouthwash, which includes baking soda. Hydrogen Peroxide apparently also is alkaline, and, used in a gentle concentration (1.5%, that is, drugstore hydrogen peroxide mixed 50/50 with water), it is safe and approved, including on the label of the hydrogen peroxide bottle. (I use it after flossing and before I use my Powerful Natural Mouthwash).
I want my teeth to last until my 100s or 120s. So while I use baking soda in my powerful natural mouthwash (which I swish around in my mouth), I use Dentarome Ultra for my toothpaste.
Paul, There is a scale ranking the abrasiveness of various substances and brand name toothpastes. Baking soda is one of the least abrasive on the list. With most everything else being *more* abrasive…what would you recommend?
um i have a huge problem my teeth are so bad that they break i have gingivitis cavitys and terrible breath. i wish i could brush but i get the flu every time and i can’t afford mouthwash. i dont have insurance or income im really worried about my oral health. i have proxide ground cloves baking soda water and cinnamon can i at least make a mouthwash and i dont have a glass jar BUT IM DESPERATE. im 28 and im also dealing with an incurrable disease so my health is at risk on all levels.
Amy,
Go with a half hydrogen peroxide, half water mix. Gargle it for >at least< two minutes. If you cannot stand the taste of peroxide, squirt some toothpaste into your mouth before gargling. This kills bacteria that cause dental diseases/problems. Be sure to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards.
If you're really serious about protecting your dental health but can't brush, take a cap full of hydrogen peroxide and hold it in your mouth for 10 minutes, then spit. Again, rinse with water after you're done.
I don't know what disease you have, but I can only imagine you get the flu/sick from brushing because your toothbrush is contaminated, or more likely that you're disease has made you immunocompromised (weakened immune system), so very basic bacteria on the brush can make you sick, or even more likely that when you brush the bad bacteria in your mouth gets pushed into your throat, allowing it to cause infection there. The latter sounds like the case also because you said you already have gingivitis/halitosis.
Regardless, hydrogen peroxide should take care of this. Make sure your bottle of peroxide is not expired or left open, or else it will no longer be potent, completely useless to you. A fresh bottle should cost no more than $2 anywhere. Also, obviously, please do not swallow peroxide- you may however tilt your head back to gargle it if you want to use it to treat a sore throat.
Gargle 2-3 times a day, spread out over several hour stretches. This allows you to kill the bacteria again as it starts growing again before it can reach disease-causing levels.
If you can manage to get a new, clean toothbrush in your mouth while gargling peroxide, this will make a huge difference however- plaque on your teeth are actually biofilms of bacteria (tangible layers of billions of bacteria), and swishing alone may not remove them, but brushing will. Since you're using peroxide, pushing bacteria into your throat should be less of a concern because if it's a strong enough solution, they should be dead, and the peroxide should sterilize your brush as well. Do not drink sugary drinks, you will 'feed' the bacteria.
I am sorry about your disease.
Warning about tea tree oil..I am allergic to melaleucas,
In used the tea oil, because I have Perio -dental problems
With in a few minutes of using it, I was sneezing uncontrolable
For a few hours.. So if anyone has allergies, taken with care…
I make mouthwash with 10 drops Thymol (oil from thyme), 8 drops menthol & 8 drops eucalptus oil, added to a pint of vodka & a pint of distilled water. Very antiseptic, & very close to listerine.
Doesn’t Hydrogen Peroxide make mercury fillings leach? ..So I would definitely avoid that if you have them!
hello i thank you for your great inputs. a month ago i notice that my gums are deterioring specially the front. My two front bottom teeth are loose cause of the gum is too low on that area, it verly holds my teeth in. any recommendations on recovering my gum quickly?
You need to see a dentist immediately if your gums are deteriorating and your two front teeth are lose. You can have a geat set of teeth, but medical conditions, not flossing, etc. can ruin the gums. Someone above said she didn’t floss. When people who don’t floss regularly finally floss, it has a very bad smell from the bacteria down below. That bacteria can destroy the gum tissue strings that hold the root of the tooth in place and lead to loosening of the the teeth. Flossing also helps with plaque, which also keeps plaque down in your arteries. Not flossing can cause heart disease.
I’m not saying your not flossing, but that’s some info for anyone who doesn’t know. I was told by my denstist, that bacteria builds up in the mouth so fast, that it only helps if used twice a day which keeps the bacteria down to a helpful level for a healthy mouth.
Someone was asking about banana peels helping whiten teeth. Yes it does. I began doing it not so long ago, and I noticed a difference the first time. You don’t want to use a green banana peel, or one that is too ripe with many brown spots. A yellow banana with a spot or two is just right. Rub the inside of the peel on your teeth for two or three minutes, the top and bottom teeth. Then rinse it out. I brush after, I’m not sure if that’s right to do, but I do it.
This next whitening method is questionable. But I used to eat lemons with salt on them as a kid all the time, and dentists tell me I have a great set of teeth. But lemon does erode enamel– mine is fine.
I use a tablespoon of baking soda and squeeze as many drops of lemon over it tills like a loose paste and then I put it on my tooth brush and brush. People think lemons are terrible, but I think this tip used ocassionally is fine. It has been for me. We eat so many acidic fruits and drinks, now different is a a little lemon juice for a couple minutes. That’s just my take on it.
Your mid-fifties is usually when you are subject to losing teeth if you aren’t flossing. A good hygenist will measure the tooth root from the gum. Nothing guarantees you’ll keep your teeth, but good hygiene helps. I’m grateful for all the tips on here. I want a natural mouthwash I can make in about a quart size like the big store bottles, that will last, and I think I have found that on here. Has anyone tried the natural herb stevia as a sweetener? I guess I can do this without a sweetener. I really want this the most not just for the freshness you feel, but for an antiseptic. Can anyone tell me which of your recipes is an anticeptic mouthwash? Thanks. I also recommend youtube searches, as I have learned a lot, but you have to trust your common sense, as some have good info, and others don’t.
Stevia is a natural sweetener. But Xylitol is also a natural sweetener derived from birch bark or even from corn. It’s an alcohol sugar, and does not cause tooth decay like beet or cane-based sugar. Also, quite interestingly, it has been shown in scientific studies to actually CUT DOWN ON tooth decay when used in the mouth. (I do have a sweet tooth, but using Xylitol is both sweet AND good.)
As to your question on the antiseptic qualities of natural mouthwashes–mouthwashes that include alcohol are antiseptic, but I have found alcohol-based mouthwashes harsh. When I switched to non-alcohol mouthwashes, I noticed they were filled with unfamiliar chemicals, with warnings to call a Poison Control Center if I ingested them. My Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash would, if produced commercially, probably not require such a Poison Control warning. The recipe includes essential oils of Cloves and Peppermint, along with Grapefruit Seed extract. My dentist Dr. Mike Senegal (Chicago) says that Peppermint Essential Oil has strong antiseptic properties, and I suspect that would also be true of Clove Essential Oil and possibly Grapefruit Seed extract.
I use Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash just after swishing with a 1 1/2 percent mix of Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide also has antiseptic properties. Finally, I brush with Thieves Essential OIl Dentarome Ultra toothpaste, which again contains Essential Oils including Clove and Peppermint.
Part of my idea in using my Powerful Natural Mouthwash and the Thieves Essential Oil Dentarome Plus toothpaste is to use things that are safe, even if I ingest them, as part of caring for my teeth. (The Hydrogen Peroxide is the exception to this guideline–I would never ingest it! But my dentist Dr. Senegal highly praises the beneficial effects of dilute Hydrogen Peroxide for my teeth and gums, so I’m stickin’ with it.)
Hi Duncan
Please do some research regarding grapefruit seed extract. The only reason it is an effective preservative is because of the chemicals added to it during processing, one of which is triclosan (similar to agent orange). It has no business in a natural product, and there are other choices now. (Tinosan for one)
Cheers!
Brenda
Hi Brenda-
The Grapefruit Seed Extract I use is from NutriBiotic. The call it “The Original GSE.”. The only ingredients listed are glycerin (67%) and Grapefruit Seed Extract (33%). I hope that Glycerin is okay in my Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash, and I’m not worried about the Grapefruit Seed Extract itself, which NutriBiotic describes as “derived from seeds and pulp of Grapefruit.”
Cheers,
Duncan
Regarding my dental hygenist saying twice a day only helps with bacteria levels in the mouth, I was referring to mouthwash— sorry that wasn’t clear. She said to swish it through the teeth as much as possible, pulling the liquid back and forth between the teeth.
After 2 weeks of using the baking soda/lemon method for whitening (I only used it twice), I ended up going to the dentist with tooth pain bad enough to think I might have an abcess, even though I only had 4 cativities as a kid and that was it.
My dentist said lemon is too strong the roots, and caused the sensivity and it’s too strong for the enamel. She’s one of the best dentists in Los Angeles. So I withdraw my suggestion of lemon and baking soda for whitening.
A good friend of mine who’s a dentist always said that citric fruit is like battery acid on tooth enamel, and loss of tooth enamel exposes the teeth to faster development of cavities. All suggestions above containing lemon as an ingredient should be erased, because they may be inadvertently misleading people into harmful practices, and not everyone will read the whole thread down to where we disclaim lemon as a mouthwash ingredient.
I just ask my dentist, Dr. Mike Senegal, about eating citrus like oranges, and whether they add to the acidic environment of tooth decay and plaque in the mouth. He replied that citrus is “sub-acidic”, does not become a more concentrated tooth-decaying acid, and does not contribute to tooth decay.
I would like to add a comment re: hydrogen peroxide leaching mercury from silver fillings. The studies that showed that, used peroxide in high concentrations, up to 22%, and were testing the teeth whitening kits. They showed, for example, that a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution left on the teeth for 20 minutes had no measurable affect on mercury levels. A 22% solution left on the teeth for six hours did show increased mercury. At the levels you’re talking about here, less than 2% on the teeth for a couple of minutes at most, would have no negative affect whatsoever. So swish away! But don’t swallow, although it probably wouldn’t hurt you….
Hi,
I was wondering about mixing essential oils (liquid) with the rest of the ingredients (dry). One, does it mix well and two, how does it effect the length of time this product will last before spoiling?
Thank you,
Adalina
I make my own mouthwash by grinding and mixing a leaf off my aloe plant with a 1/2 cup of spring water and a splash of mint oil, the aloe promotes oral health and is filled with vitamins and such that is very healthy for you and the mint will helps freshen your breath in the mornings! Sit on your bathroom counter, mix up more in about 4-5 days!
rub Co Q10 oil on gums it will get rid of bad breath, bleeding/sore gums, and help receeding gums prevents and heals gingivitis also benefits your heart. I read this from 2 different publications from 2 different doctors and it worked for me, mouth wash ideas on here sound interesting I need to try
I make a toothpaste of coconut oil, baking soda, clove oil (for sensitive teeth), ground lavender flowers, & sage (hellos Whitten teeth). Just start with the oil & baking soda to a consistency that works for you, then start mixing in the add-ons, until you like it. Don’t bother with water – start with a dry brush, and a bit of the paste, about the size of a pea, because the oil will melt as soon as it hits the warmth of your mouth & combine with the rapidly accumulating saliva. Water added at the start will just make a mess.
I also make a multi-purpose oral spray, for moisturizing dry mouth, calming a scratchy throat, easing easing tooth sensitivity, & easing the passing in the inside of my cheek, when my oversized teeth catch the soft flesh on my inner cheek:
3/4C of infusion of dandelion (root & flower) & peppermint 1:1 (cooled)
1/8C raw honey
6 drops eucalyptus eo
6 drops clove eo
8 drops peppermint oil
Make the infusion, measure out, (freeze what’s left, for next time) & add the honey, while the infusion is hot, so it combines easily. Allow the mixture to cool, then add the essential oils, & shake to mix. Poor into small spray bottle, & refrigerate whatever won’t fit into the spray bottle. This does not have to be refrigerated, but it feels amazing, cold.
To use: Spray where needed, as needed. I love to have it with me any time I’m singing. In fact, I call it my ‘singer’s relief’ spray.
I am trying to figure out how to help my son to get healthier teeth.He is 5 year and recently start having cavities, and the dentist recommended to use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluor. I disagree, so start using schuessler salts.Hope it will help him and anybody else who has problems.Has anybody heard about them???
I haven’t heard of them, but I thought this might be of help! http://www.mommypotamus.com/how-i-reversed-my-daughters-tooth-decay/
Thank you for your quick reply. We are following WAP diet also.My son is on gluten and sugar free diet too, so we’ll see if there is improvement or not. I just wanted to let people know about Schuessler salts.A lot of people use them in Europe, not very popular here,but hope will do the work.
Excellent, I bet you will see improvement soon!
I am a newbie to the world of all natural products, as well as herbalist processes. What ratio of echinacea angustifolia root, sage leaves, and peppermint leaves is recommended to use in the infusion?
Here are the complete, up-to-date instructions and recipe for my Mouthwash and tooth care program, copied from my Web site:
Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash, and Use of 1.5% Hydrogen Peroxide Mix
EHow has a recipe for “Powerful Natural Mouthwash.” My dentist Dr. Mike Senegal of Chicago, (a very enlightened man and a wonderful dentist) made an additional suggestion, to add Peppermint Essential Oil (which really suppresses acidic bacteria), He also extolled the use of dilute Hydrogen Peroxide: more on that later. (My recipe adds Peppermint Essential Oil, and increases the amount of Clove Essential Oil.)
RECIPE: DUNCAN’S POWERFUL NATURAL MOUTHWASH
COMBINE:
1 Cup distilled or filtered or Spring Water
1 TBSP Xylitol [Research shows Xylitol inhibits tooth decay.]
1/2 TSP Baking Soda [An alkaline environment inhibits acidic decay-causing mouth bacteria]
1/4 to 1/2 TSP ground Sea Salt or pink Himalayan salt [This carries on the alkaline theme]
Shake Vigorously to Dissolve
3-4 Drops GSE [AKA Grapefruit Seed Extract; very good for mouth and tooth and gum health]
2-3 Drops Clove Essential Oil [Very good for mouth and tooth and gum health]
2-3 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil [Very good for discouraging bad mouth bacteria]
Shake Vigorously to Disperse
Note: you can get the essential oils (including the Nutribiotic brand GSE and the NOW Foods brand non-GMO Xylitol) from good health food stores like Whole Foods, or from Amazon.com.
USING A 1.5% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND DUNCAN’S POWERFUL NATURAL MOUTHWASH WITH FLOSSING AND BRUSHING TO MAINTAIN MOUTH AND TOOTH AND GUM HEALTH
THE BASIC IDEA:
Every 6 MONTHS, your teeth are perfect. (You just visited your dentist, and had your teeth completely and professionally scaled and cleaned, down to and below the gums.) What happens next? A sticky, sugary, acidic coating called plaque forms due to genetics and to foods containing sugar and starch that stay in the mouth in small amounts after eating. Over time the soft sticky plaque hardens into tartar. Daily brushing helps, but never removes it completely except in the very early stages. So, after 6 months, it’s back to the dentist to get your teeth back to perfect.
Meanwhile, you may develop cavities and gum disease due to the plaque and tartar. Bad bacteria use the plaque and especially tartar as a hiding place—once safely under there they can’t be touched by toothpaste or toothbrush or floss or mouthwash. Then they can begin their “drilling” operations in earnest. Further, colonies of plaque and tartar irritate the gums and cause them to pull away from your teeth, gradually exposing the soft unprotected roots of the teeth. Results include bleeding and inflamed and unhealthy gums, cavities, and, eventually, gum disease and dying teeth. (If you think cavities are bad, wait till you see what gum disease can do. Check out what it costs to have a tooth removed, or an implant, or gum surgery. YOU DON’T WANT TO GO THERE!)
So, DAILY, keep sticky plaque under control by cleaning your teeth a minimum of twice a day; once just before you go to bed (floss, mouthwash, brush, mouthwash) and second just after you wake in the morning (mouthwash, brush, mouthwash). Get an oxidizer (1.5% hydrogen peroxide) into the mouth and onto the teeth and gums. This will inhibit harmful bacteria and begin to create an alkaline environment.
Then, further encourage a bacteria-suppressing alkaline environment in the mouth and on the teeth and gums with Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash. Follow this routine in the evening so that your night’s sleep is not a time for plaque to colonize your teeth. Follow this routine in the morning so that whatever nighttime colonization of plaque did develop is removed.
HOW TO DO IT:
Combine use of Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash with a 1.5% hydrogen peroxide mix. (Drugstore-bought Hydrogen Peroxide comes in at 3%; just mix it 1 to 1 with pure water per the directions on the label.)
After flossing at NIGHT, swish hydrogen peroxide mix vigorously for a minute, expel, rinse mouth 2-3 times with water. Then swish Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash vigorously for as long as possible, expel (do NOT rinse). (Note: the best toothpaste I’ve ever found is Thieves Essential Oil Blend Dentarome Ultra.) Brush teeth carefully for 2 to 2 ½ minutes, expel, rinse (if not using Dentarome Ultra). Then swish Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash vigorously for as long as possible, expel (do NOT rinse).
In the MORNING, swish 1 minute with the hydrogen peroxide mix, expel, rinse 2-3 times. Swish with Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash for as long as possible, expel (do NOT rinse), then brush teeth for 2 to 2 ½ minutes, rinse (if not using Dentarome Ultra), then swish with Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash for as long as possible, expel, do NOT rinse.
(Note: if you brush AFTER MEALS, swish with hydrogen peroxide for a minute, expel, rinse, swish with Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash, expel but do NOT rinse, brush, then swish with Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash for as long as possible, expel, do NOT rinse.)
Does all of this flossing and brushing and swishing take time? Absolutely. But having happy healthy teeth and gums is worth it—we all want to live forever, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun without teeth!
*****Medicine Interaction Warning:***** If you take a cholesterol-fighting statin blood pressure medication with directions against eating grapefruit, you may want to consult your doctor before using the GSE (grapefruit seed oil) found in this recipe. (But since you’re not swallowing Duncan’s Powerful Natural Mouthwash, perhaps it’s not a problem. Also, GSE is VERY helpful for mouth/tooth/gum health.)
I really like the recipe. Some reason behind that are the common substances use by the people. We can see that most of the people avoid flossing and skipping brushing in the night is also a common practice. To avoid all those hassle, one should use natural products to cure oral problems. Popular natural dental products are Propolis,etc. Propolis has anti-bacterial properties, which prevents growing of bacteria in the mouth.
These remedies and natural recipes are totally helpful if you don’t have any other alternative to use. But using too much and making it the sole method for your dental routine is not a good idea at all. Baking soda has a taste sensation that makes teeth feel good, but there is no proven therapeutic value about it. Another disadvantage is the fact that baking soda doesn’t kill bacteria, to prevent cavities you have to brush your teeth with toothpaste after. Aside from this, this component weakens the enamel. I think it’s still best if you’ll ask a professional about it.
No therapeutic value? Paul, baking soda is one of the most effective anti-microbials you can use, especially for controlling strep. mutans, which are considered the main pathogens in the cause of tooth decay. It is also very effective against p. gingivitis, t. denticola and b. forsythus – all gum disease culprits. And, no, it does not weaken enamel. I would think you’d do more damage by biting into a hard-crusted bread (and I think it would take a lot more than that).
Sorry, that should be p. gingivalis.
I suspect that I have tonsil stones causing bad breath because everytime I swallow (when not eating), I feel something is stuck at the right side of my throat. Are there any mixtures of essential oils that will help me get rid of it?
My simple mouth disinfectant – After brushing my teeth, I use a mixture of: Hydrogen Peroxide, distilled water (no presence of minerals, some of which could react with HP), salt and peppermint in proportion: 4 oz : 6 oz : 1 tea spoon : 5 drops, to wash my mouth by gargling for about one minute. I mix it well during preparation and sake it in a container before any other use. Also, during the day especially after the meals I first rinse my mouth with a distilled water, fallowed by using above mixture to swish my mouth. This mixture is good for killing bacteria/germs in mouth and cleanining of teeth. It could also be used for hands disinfection by spraying it on your hands and let it dry.
NO WINTERGREEN ESSENTIAL OIL
EVER!!!!!
This cannot be taken internally it can kill you!!
YOU NEED TO REMOVE THAT INGREDIENT FROM YOUR RECIPE LIST.
you may be able to use wintergreen FLAVoring
BUT NO WINTERGREEN OIL INTERNALLY
Please do you research before using these things
Thank you.