A natural mouthwash is a wonderful compliment to any oral care routine. It reinforces the benefits of brushing and boosts your overall oral health. But before we talk about the natural options, let’s get to know the traditional mouthwash ingredients.
Chemical mouthwash vs essential oils rinses
These two ingredients are present in most conventional mouthwashes, and I recommend avoiding them:
- Alcohol: It dries the mucous membranes, so it is not recommended, especially if we are going to use mouthwash daily.
- Chlorhexidine: According to the advice of the Mayo Clinic, this substance can stain the teeth and tongue, alter the sense of taste, desquamate and dry the oral mucosa, favor the deposit of gingival calculus, and produce allergic reactions. Chlorhexidine can also reduce the oral flora, which encourages the appearance of extra-resistant bacteria after long periods of use.
Natural mouthwash with essential oils
That is why I bring you a natural alternative that not only has zero side effects but also helps to enhance our overall good health. It consists of filling a glass with a little bit of water- the amount that you would use for a traditional mouthwash - and adding one or two drops of some of the essential oils that we are going to talk about in this article. Shake well before putting the mixture in your mouth. You should rinse for 1-2 minutes. Spit out the liquid after rinsing. Do not swallow or rinse with water. You should also try not to eat anything for at least 30 minutes after rinsing. You can perform this gentle rinse up to 3 times a day.
Now all that remains is to choose the essential oil that corresponds to your oral health needs:
- Gingivitis: Vanilla essential oil, for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Its regenerative properties will also help to reduce the bleeding of your gums after a few weeks.
- Whitening action: Lemon essential oil. It is also antiseptic. It is slightly invigorating, so if you have sleep problems it may be better to use it in the morning. For evening use, substitute it with another essential oil.
- Halitosis: Tea tree and/or peppermint essential oil. These oils eliminate bad odors from your mouth and leave your breath smelling fresh. The effects are long-lasting, so you can stop worrying when talking to people face-to-face.
- Aphthous ulcers or small wounds: Laurel essential oil. It has soothing properties that enhance healing, while providing relief for the discomfort of these oral problems.
- Surgical extractions or implant placement: Immortelle essential oil, for its anesthetic, detoxifying and regenerating powers. It is also anti-hematoma without being a blood thinner.
- Acute toothache, inflammation: Clove or laurel essential oil. These oils are known for their strong anesthetic, anti-pain, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic characteristics. They also promote restorative sleep, which our bodies need for healing.
In conclusion, essential oils can be our organic allies when it comes to taking care of our oral health. Have you tried using them in your daily cleaning routine? You will surely be surprised by their natural results without side effects of any kind.
Essential oils must be suitable for food use, so be sure to carefully read the label on the bottle of each essential oil.