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When I was a kid, we didn’t have dental insurance. My parents were good parents, but oral health was not high on their priority list. They came from a generation that assumed everyone would eventually get dentures and would have no need for dental care anyway. Bless their hearts.
Here I am, so many years later playing catch-up on all of the oral health care things. As we strive to do so many things more naturally (and economically!) in our home, stumbling across this natural and homemade mouth seemed like a good addition for our family’s health needs.
Let’s take a look at the ingredients and, as with all things, use sound judgement and do your own research! There is no substitute for knowing for your own self then benefits of your ingredients.
Aloe Vera Juice:
Aloe vera juice has long been regaled as a skin soother and healer. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. These are all benefits to keeping bacteria in your mouth in check and reducing inflammation to your gums.
Baking Soda:
Baking soda is also antimicrobial. It’s also antibacterial and it increases pH levels which can inhibit bacterial growth. It can also help whiten your teeth!
Xylitol:
Although xylitol is a sweetener, it doesn’t produce acids in your mouth that cause tooth decay like sugar does! Studies have shown that it actually reduces the level of decay-causing bacteria in saliva.
Water:
A huge benefit of living on well water is the mineral content. The minerals in our water help re-mineralize our teeth. Re-mineralization helps your teeth stay resistant to decay.
Essential Oils:
I always have to include a special word of caution when using essential oils. These are concentrated little bits of plants, and some are known as “hot” and can cause allergic reactions and even burns. Although essential oils are, generally speaking, a safe, natural product to use, do your research and be cautious!
I tend to choose Wintergreen essential oil for my mouth wash. It is both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Wintergreen is one of those oils that you’ll want to use sparingly, however. Alternatively, you could use Peppermint or Lemon oils. Do a little digging and decide what oil might be best for you.
Now let’s have a little conversation about cost. This recipe will cost about one-fourth of the same quantity of Listerine and takes only minutes to prepare. In addition, Listerine contains undesirable and unnecessary ingredients like artificial sweeteners, dyes and alcohol. This is bound to be a safer as well as more economical product and, the recipe is a simple one.
Homemade Mouth Wash
1 Cup Aloe Vera Juice
1/2 Cup Water
2 teaspoons Xylitol
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
3 Drops Wintergreen essential oil
Mix all ingredients together in a jar and swirl or stir until dissolved. You may need to swirl before each use. Store in a glass jar with a lid (essential oils can degrade plastic).
To use: Pour about a Tablespoon of the mouth wash into a cup and swish in your mouth for 30-60 seconds and spit it out. DO NOT swallow the mouth wash. Even though most of these ingredients are food ingredients, the Wintergreen is not necessarily considered a good “internal” oil. Besides, spitting out the food particles, bacteria and microbes seems like a better choice anyway, right!?
Makes enough for 24 uses.
