5-Ingredient Mouthwash for Fresh Breath and Healthy Gums
Here’s an all-natural mouthwash recipe with aloe vera gel, distilled water, baking soda, sea salt, and tea tree essential oil that offers some excellent benefits for oral health. Small batch style. Here’s a breakdown of the potential benefits and how the ingredients work together:
1. Aloe Vera Gel or Juice:
Soothing and Healing: Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties, which can be beneficial for irritated gums or oral tissues. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that can help maintain oral hygiene and reduce inflammation.
2. Distilled Warm Water:
Hydration and Cleansing: Distilled water helps dilute the active ingredients while ensuring the mouthwash is gentle on the oral tissues. Warm water can enhance the solubility of the ingredients, making them more effective in the mouth.
3. Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate):
pH Balancer: Baking soda helps neutralize acids in the mouth, preventing tooth decay and creating an environment less favorable for harmful bacteria. It also acts as a mild abrasive that can gently clean teeth and freshen breath.
4. Sea Salt:
Antimicrobial and Healing: Sea salt is rich in minerals and has natural antiseptic properties. It can help reduce inflammation, promote healing of minor oral wounds, and kill harmful bacteria, which supports overall gum health.
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil:
Antibacterial and Antifungal: Tea tree oil is well-known for its powerful antimicrobial properties. It helps kill the bacteria that cause bad breath and contributes to maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. However, because tea tree oil can be strong, it’s essential to use it in small amounts to avoid irritation.
Pros:
Natural Ingredients: The recipe contains no synthetic chemicals or alcohol, making it gentle and suitable for sensitive oral tissues.
Antibacterial Properties: Both tea tree oil and salt are known for their ability to kill bacteria, reducing the risk of gingivitis, plaque, and bad breath.
pH Neutralizing: Baking soda helps balance the mouth’s pH, preventing acid buildup that leads to tooth decay.
Things to Consider:
Tea Tree Oil Safety: While tea tree oil is beneficial, it’s crucial not to swallow the mouthwash, as ingesting tea tree oil can be harmful. Always spit it out after rinsing. This recipe is not meant to be used with children.
Shelf Life: This mixture might have a shorter shelf life due to the absence of preservatives unless you are using bottled Aloe Vera. Consider making small batches like the recipe allows and storing it in the fridge to keep it fresher longer. Keep your eyes out for change in consistency and your nose out for a change in smell. Discard if it doesn’t seem right.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of aloe vera gel or juice
3/4 cup of distilled warm water
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
4-6 drops of tea tree essential oil
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a jar. Mix to combine.
To use:
Shake well before each use. Swish 1-2 tablespoons of mouthwash for at least 1 minute. Do not swallow.
