Whether you’re jetting off to work or going on a date, you want to smell fresh — especially your breath. Without getting into the nasty details, bad breath is generally caused by “bad” bacteria in the mouth, resulting in symptoms of inflammation and the release of gases that aren’t very pleasant on the nostrils.
From plaque build-up to digestive health, bad breath can be fairly complex, however, busting that bad odor is as simple as three ingredients — water, baking soda and organic essential oils.
Why take the time to make your own mouthwash?
If you often use mouthwash, you know how fresh and minty it leaves your mouth — but have you ever stopped to think about what might be in the products you’re using? Sure, you may not technically swallow the majority of mouthwash as you swish, but you most certainly ingest and absorb it.
There’s no denying that positive oral health contributes to overall well-being, especially in terms of heart health, however, antiseptic mouthwashes have been shown to increase your risk of heart attacks and hypertension, all while killing off good, beneficial bacteria.
Within one study, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, it was found that when participants used mouthwash twice daily, they increased their blood pressure by 3.5 mmHg. Researchers found that these harsh mouthwashes, kill off “good” oral bacteria with daily use.
Just like the bacteria in your gut, it’s also important to maintain balance — or homeostasis — within the mouth. When you effectively balance both good and bad bacteria, you not only prevent bad breath, but you’ll also lower your risk of oral diseases and decay, all while kick-starting digestion.
In addition to causing an imbalance of oral bacteria, mouthwash may also increase your risk of cancer. Researchers looked at excessive mouthwash use (three or more times a day) and published their findings in the journal Oral Oncology. It was found that high use was, in fact, linked to a higher incidence of oral cancer.
Supporting previous research, it’s believed that this is due to the alcohol content of conventional mouthwash products, which allows for carcinogens to penetrate your mouth’s lining. Not sounding so minty fresh now, is it?
Good thing there’s an alternative — a DIY mouthwash that will help freshen your breath without the worry. Although a few drops of peppermint, tea tree and lemon organic essential oil will bring freshness to your mouth, the real star here is baking soda. This common ingredient supports positive oral health by helping to balance acid levels.
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Not only will it help fight bad breath, baking soda will also promote healing, reduce your risk of gum disease and naturally whiten your teeth. With the addition of key essential oils, this quick and easy mouthwash also kills germs while cleaning your gums and teeth.
Simple, All-Natural Mouthwash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 drops of organic peppermint essential oil
- 3 drops of organic lemon essential oil
- 3 drops of organic tea tree essential oil
Equipment
- Glass bottle
Instructions
1. This recipe couldn’t be simpler — combine all ingredients in a bottle, shake and you’re ready to swish.
2. After swishing for 30 to 40 seconds, spit out the mouthwash — do NOT swallow.
— Krista Hillis