Bad breath is embarrassing, but it's often a condition that's easy to fix at home. Good oral hygiene, including the use of mouthwash, can prevent or eliminate bad breath. Home remedy mouthwashes are made from common and easily obtainable ingredients. Some mouthwashes have antiseptic, germ killing properties that attack the source of bad breath and help prevent gum disease. Homemade antiseptic mouthwashes use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to kill germs.
Baking Soda
A simple, easy mouthwash uses baking soda to refresh your breath. Mix ¼ tsp. baking soda with 2 oz. water and add one drop of peppermint essential oil. TeensHealth, a website maintained by the Nemours Foundation, states that a home remedy baking soda mouthwash can help ease the pain of canker sores if used four times daily. Mix 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. salt into 4 oz. water and rinse. Make small batches of baking soda mouthwashes---just enough for a day or two---because it doesn't store well for very long.
Herbs and Spices
Mouthwash can be made by infusing herbs or spices in water. Fresh herbs work best and you can use a single herb or combination of herbs with one simple recipe. Boil 1 pt. of water and pour over 2 tbsp. of herbs in a jar. Allow the mixture to steep overnight and then strain out the herbs. Store in the refrigerator. Mint and rosemary are common and effective herbs for mouthwash. Using cloves is an old remedy for fresh breath and can be prepared in the same manner as herbs, but use only 1 tbsp. of cloves.
Alcohol
Alcohol is an effective home remedy mouthwash with antiseptic properties. Vodka is the most common alcohol used for homemade mouthwashes. If you can stand it, a direct method is to rinse your mouth with straight vodka. A gentler application is to combine 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. vodka and 2 drops of an essential oil, such as lemon, clove, peppermint or thyme. The alcohol allows the oil and water to mix without separating. Alcohol mouthwashes are not recommended for children.
Hydrogen Peroxide
One cup of water mixed with 1 tbsp. of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is an easy and antiseptic home remedy mouthwash. TeensHealth recommends mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water if you have canker sores. Don't worry if the mixture foams a bit when you're rinsing; it's a natural reaction.
Alternatives
A quick alternative to mouthwashes is to chew leaves or seeds for instant fresh breath. This method works particularly well when you're away from home, as you can store the ingredients in small containers or plastic bags. You can eat a few leaves of fresh parsley, basil or any kind of mint to refresh your mouth. Chewing a few small seeds, such as fennel, cardamom or anise, is an old remedy. These seeds all have a licorice flavor.
Warning
The American Dental Association, or ADA, warns that if bad breath is an ongoing problem you may have a more serious problem. Gum disease can cause bad breath and should be treated by a professional. Never swallow mouthwash; some ingredients can be harmful if ingested.
Member Comments