4 Homemade Mouthwash Recipes That Will Keep Your Teeth Bright And Healthy
Using mouthwash on a regular basis is an excellent way to keep your and your family's teeth healthy and bright all year long, especially between visits to the dentist. All you need is a reusable bottle or mason jar with a lid, and the following recipes in your arsenal:
Berry Whitening Mouthwash
Thanks to the vitamin C and natural astringent that's found in strawberries, you can keep your teeth white and bright by making some homemade berry mouthwash. The vitamin C effectively clears plaque away; the astringent helps get rid of surface stains, and the berries themselves make this mouthwash taste great. Here is what you are going to need to make this simple mouthwash recipe for your household:
- 2 ¼ cups water
- 4 strawberries (let them thaw first if you're using frozen)
- 2 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
- Cheesecloth or nut milk bag
Start by blending the berries with a quarter cup of water until they're well combined and juicy. Then place your cheesecloth or nut milk bag over a bowl and pour your berry juice into it. Once strained, pour the juice into your reusable bottle and add the rest of the ingredients. Close the lid and shake the bottle vigorously for a few seconds so all of the ingredients have a chance to combine. Use the mouthwash just like any commercial product.
Cinnamon Orange Mouthwash
This cinnamon orange mouthwash will not only give you fresh breath, but it will also help fight gum disease when used on a regular basis. The cinnamon essential oil in this recipe is the secret weapon – its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties keep bad bacteria in check and make it possible for good bacteria to flourish. You'll need the following ingredients to make a batch:
- 2 cups water
- 20 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 10 drops orange essential oil
Just put all of the ingredients into your reusable container and make sure to shake well before each use. If the cinnamon is too strong, pour about half a cup of the mouthwash out and then fill your container up with more water.
Peppermint Clove Pain-Relief Mouthwash
The peppermint in this mouthwash offers a fresh and clean feel, and the clove oil will help ease any tooth pain you or a family member might be experiencing. This can come in handy after having dental work done, or before a diagnosis and treatment for an ailment has been ordered by your dentist. The following ingredients are needed to make this homemade pain-relief mouthwash:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
- 15 drops clove essential oil
Put all of the ingredients in your reusable container and shake well. Sip the mouthwash as you would commercial products, and rinse slowly until any tooth pain starts to diminish. Spit the mouthwash out and wait about a minute before rinsing with warm fresh water.
Garlicky Nighttime Mouthwash
While garlic isn't very good at giving people fresh breath, it does do wonders for preventing tooth decay by getting rid of bad bacteria. This is a mouthwash that's best used before bed when you don't expect to meet face-to-face with other people. Here's how to make a batch:
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp of juice from garlic (buy the juice or run some cloves through a juicer)
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil (for flavor)
After putting everything in your reusable container, place it in the fridge to keep it fresh and rinse with the concoction for about 30 seconds right before bed each night.
These mouthwash recipes are sure to help keep your entire family's teeth and gums healthy, which is something your dentist will appreciate.