Today, i’m sharing the benefits and negatives of mouthwash, plus 6 all-natural mouthwash options for you to consider, including a recipe. Article7 Recommendations By Dr. Burhenne
Do you remember those commercials that told you to suffer through your mouthwash routine? Well, a lot of us still follow that regimen. After all, mouthwash kills harmful bacteria in the mouth and leaves your breath smelling minty fresh… right?
Not exactly. While mouthwash does kill bacteria, it doesn’t distinguish between harmful bacteria and the helpful flora that live in your mouth. Since antibacterial mouthwashes can wipe out all of the good bacteria, the bad bacteria come back at a different rate, making the problem of bad breath even worse.
Antibacterial mouthwashes can have even more adverse effects for some people due to their destruction of the oral microbiome. The oral microbiome is an essential part of a healthy gut microbiome, so blasting bacteria in the mouth can have repercussions on your digestion and even cardiovascular health (through disruption of nitric oxide production).
If we think of the gastrointestinal tract as a river, then the mouth is the source of that river. What you do in the mouth sets the stage for everything that comes after in the gastrointestinal tract and in the whole body.
The alcohol in most mouthwashes also dries out your mouth, which can make bad breath even worse, since saliva is what maintains a healthy pH in the mouth. Without saliva, bad bacteria run rampant and encourage halitosis (that’s the technical term for bad breath). The drying effects of mouthwash can even increase your risk of oral cancer, according to some studies.
The best way to keep your mouth smelling fresh is to brush, floss, and scrape your tongue at least once a day – no mouthwash needed.
But maybe you’re one of those people who loves their mouthwash routine and the fresh feeling it gives you. Especially if you’ve already transitioned to a better toothpaste that doesn’t have that super-minty flavor, you might not be entirely ready to give up mouthwash, and that’s okay!
There are a few products that aren’t as harmful as some of the bigger conventional brands and can even promote a healthy mouth. Check them out below.
When you’re picking a better mouthwash, go for something made with natural ingredients and avoid the following ingredients:
Alcohol, Chlorine, dioxide, Chlorhexidine, Cocamidopropyl, betaine, Parabens, Poloxamer 407, Formaldehyde, and Saccharin.
Here are a few products we like for their all-natural approach to making your mouth taste and smell a little bit sweeter:
1. aesop mouthwash
This alcohol-free mouthwash from Australian skincare line Aesop boasts a pleasant flavor combo of clove bud, aniseed, and spearmint. No alcohol is used in this mouthwash, though it does use essential oils, which tend to kill bacteria as well, so be wary of using this product too often.
2. Oral Essentials
Oral Essentials is a dentist-formulated mouthwash made with Dead Sea salt, well known for its rich mineral content. This ingredient can actually help remineralize your teeth (remineralization is the process of restoring minerals to your teeth). This mouthwash also contains holy basil oil, a known adaptogen (a substance considered helpful in helping the body adapt to stress), and aloe vera juice, which is renowned for its soothing and healing properties.
3. georganics
This mouthwash was formulated in accordance with an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for bad breath known as oil pulling. The mouthwash has a light coconut aroma thanks to organic coconut oil.
4. Auromere
This mouthwash is made with neem, also known as the Indian toothbrush tree. Studies have shown that neem is as powerful for mouth health as chlorhexidine (a common disinfectant and antiseptic) without being nearly as dangerous.
5. the natural dentist
This mouthwash is specially designed for sensitive gums that have a tendency to bleed. Containing 20% aloe vera, along with Echinacea, calendula, and a touch of cinnamon, this mouthwash will quickly soothe any painful gums.
I will disclose- some of these mouthwash options are VERY expensive (for a mouthwash that is) so I have listed some options that I find to still fall in the 'safe' category as a rinse option, below. I listed the ingredients for your reference as well.
6. jason healthy mouth
Ingredients: Aqua (purified water), sea salt, glycerin, sorbitol, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, ascorbic acid, citric acid, menthol, polysorbate 20, sodium bicarbonate, benzoic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate.
7. tom's of maine
Ingredients. propylene glycol (vegetable derived), water, sodium stearate, organic Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glyceryl laurate, natural fragrance, Humulus lupulus (hops) cone extract, organic Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, ascorbic acid, organic Cymbopogon flexuosus oil.
6. homemade mouthwash
You can also make your own homemade mouthwash very simply with distilled water and baking soda. No need to add essential oils as they kill bacteria and could be harmful. Add sea salt to the combo for more mineralizing properties, though this mixture may be a bit less palatable. Then again, if you’ve been spending years swishing strong alcohol solutions, then a natural mix of baking soda, water, and salt should be a breeze! Of all the mouthwashes, this one is my favorite for its safety and efficacy in the mouth—and you won’t feel bad when you spit it down the drain!
oral microbiome-friendly mouthwash
This mouthwash is best used before bed, to minimize the impact of foods eaten during the day. Swish a tablespoon for up to one minute before spitting. Do not swallow, and be sure to store in the refrigerator to keep fresh.
Prep Time: 1 hour & 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3-5 minutes
Servings: 16
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 teaspoon Calcium Carbonate
1/2 teaspoon L-Arginine
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
3-4 Cloves soaked in 1 cup of hot water for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup Water
INSTRUCTIONS:
Remove the cloves from the water and add the remaining ingredients, including the water, to a glass jar.
Whisk until well-combined, or add a lid to the jar and shake, or add to a high-speed blender.
Use 1 tablespoon worth for a quick rinse.
ENJOY!