DIY Homemade Mouthwash

Q: What can be used instead of mouthwash?

According to Fusion Dental Care , some other natural mouthwashes are using apple cider vinegar ( try my homemade recipe ), peppermint oil , or baking soda as a mouthwash alternative.

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Improve your dental health dramatically with homemade mouthwash. It’s simple to make, frugal, and better for you than commercial mouthwash. Plus its just 3 ingredients & water! Be sure to check out our DIY whitening tooth powder and my homemade toothpaste (that’s just like Earthpaste!).

Improve your dental health dramatically with homemade versions! This recipe for homemade mouthwash is simple to make, frugal, quick to make, and better for you than commercial mouthwash. Plus its just 3 ingredients & water!

There’s been a lot of “dental” talk around these parts lately…

First, it was making our own toothpaste, then it was healing gum disease, and I shared the fact that my dentist declared my mouth pretty darn healthy (thanks to our dental routine!).

But something has been missing.

It didn’t dawn on me until a month ago or so when I ate a clove of honey-infused garlic…and I instantly had bad breath, lol.

I needed mouthwash ASAP but didn’t have any after purging our closet of big green bottles of unknown chemicals and ingredients.

Fortunately, this simple homemade mouthwash was ready in just a few minutes and made my breath just as fresh – if not fresher – than any conventional mouthwash ever had.

Homemade mouthwash is really easy! So easy, that it kinda seems silly to even share an official recipe… but I’m doing it anyway. Y’all need fresh breath too and I’ve already done the experimenting with flavors. Why not share what I’ve discovered?

Reasons to Make Homemade Mouthwash

Frugal. This recipe will cost you less than any store-bought version.
Easy to make. In just 3 steps you’ll have your own mouthwash.
Once you have the essential oils, they tend to last a long time! As with many homemade beauty items, there’s an up-front cost with essential oils. A few drops here and a few drops there make one bottle several last months.
This usually goes without saying, but something else to consider is the ingredients in commercial mouthwash. Various forms of sugar (like saccharin) are the biggest offenders that really aren’t needed or even contradictory to dental health. Sure you might be able to score mouthwash for 25¢ using a coupon, but consider what it’s made of. Do you really want to cover your teeth with it?

Here’s What You Need

Distilled water (or water that has been boiled, then cooled)
Baking soda
Peppermint Essential Oil
Lemon Essential Oil
Germ Fighter Essential Oil

Note: I LOVE Plant Therapy on Amazon. They have a wide variety of essential oils and blends. You can find their shop here.

Essential oil bottle, distilled water in a glass jar, and baking soda in a glass jar on a table cloth on a table. This is what you need for this homemade mouthwash recipe.

Notes on DIY Mouthwash Ingredients

After trying a few (not so great) variations, I’ve come up with one that is by far my favorite. It uses a blend of three essential oils and baking soda to re-create the “ahhh” and slight tingle you get from typical mouthwash, and the fresh breath lasts a pretty long time!

Peppermint essential oil cleanses the mouth and acts as a preservative
Lemon essential oil is a natural whitener and helps to boost immunity as well
Germ Fighter essential oil is a blend of clove bud, lemon, cinnamon cassia, eucalyptus globulus, and rosemary. Germ Fighter is known for its immune support and fighting off germs like its name! It also mellows the pungent peppermint and enhances the overall flavor by adding a hint of sweetness.
Baking soda is a natural whitener, but it also neutralizes odors and acts as a pH stabilizer. It also helps to mix the oils and water.

Homemade Mouthwash Instructions

Step 1. In a small glass jar (I use this mason jar), combine the water and baking soda.

Glass jar with distilled water and a hand tilting an essential oil bottle while drops go into the water.

Step 2. Shake vigorously until the baking soda is dissolved.

Step 3. Carefully add the essential oils, shake, and adjust to taste.

Homemade mouthwash in a glass jar and a wooden spoon in it. One essential oil bottle on a table cloth on a table.

Homemade Mouthwash Recipe Notes

Essential oils are very powerful, so please use caution when handling and using them. Do not swallow this mouthwash and keep it out of reach of children.
I use the term “adjust to taste” loosely. Basically, you can add another drop of any of these oils, but due to the fact that essential oils are highly concentrated, I personally wouldn’t add any more.
This recipe can easily be doubled, but smaller batches ensure consistent (and desired) flavors.
I recommend swishing every other day, after brushing your teeth.

FAQs

What can be used instead of mouthwash?

According to Fusion Dental Care, some other natural mouthwashes are using apple cider vinegar (try my homemade recipe), peppermint oil, or baking soda as a mouthwash alternative.

Can I use salt water as mouthwash every day?

You cannot use salt water as a mouthwash every day. If you were to, it would soften your gums and teeth enamel.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash?

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a mouthwash. It will disinfect your mouth, whiten teeth, and can soothe a sore throat! Be sure to dilute before using and try not to swallow any amount while swishing.