It’s no secret I like to make stuff. I write a DIY blog called Crafty Little Gnome! I guess you can say I am obsessed with making stuff. I like to take regular things that we buy from the store and figure out a way to make it myself. Most of the time it’s cheaper and healthier to make it myself and it’s always fun to experiment with making things. Today I am going to show you how to make your own mouthwash. It’s cheaper, it’s healthier and it will burn your mouth considerably less than the blue colored alcohol filled mouthwash you buy at the drugstore.
The older I get, the more I realize the importance of taking care of my teeth. People often tell me that I have a nice smile (I don’t mean to brag, everybody has something about them that is their best feature. One of mine happens to be my smile) People tell me I have nice teeth. I am a lucky person. I didn’t need braces. I guess you could say that my parents were the lucky ones because not having braces meant that they saved several thousands of dollars’ worth of orthodontic bills. I must be honest though, I was always a little jealous of my friends who had braces and felt left out when they got to talking about what colors they were going to choose for their braces each month.
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I used to be able to brush irregularly and never floss and I never got cavities. Then one time I went to the dentist and was informed that I had four cavities and better start flossing! Now it seems like if I forget to floss even once I will have a cavity at my next dentist visit. I am pretty religious about brushing, flossing, tongue brushing and using the Waterpik. (Which by the way are amazing and if you don’t have one I suggest that you go out and get yourself a Waterpik)
I use regular old Crest toothpaste but I can’t stand the standard minty blue mouthwash. It is usually so strong it practically burns my tongue off as I swish it around my mouth. Why do they have to make it so harsh? If you want a cheaper, gentler mouth wash try my homemade recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Because you are putting it in your mouth, I recommend using food grade oils.
Baking soda is an excellent ingredient to add to your dental care routine. It can help whiten teen and freshen your breath. It also helps to neutralize the acids in your teeth that cause stains and bad breath.
You can dip your toothbrush in a little baking soda and scrub your teeth with it to help whiten and prevent stains. It’s advisable to only brush your teeth with baking soda a couple of times per month as it may be too harsh and strip away some of the enamel. Using baking soda as a mouthwash on the other hand is perfectly safe.
Salt has antibacterial properties so it’s a nice addition and you don’t need more than a pinch. You can mix up a large batch ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to a week or just keep the ingredients in you medicine cabinet in the bathroom and quickly make up a glass. Be warned though, baking soda and salt taste gross. The peppermint essential oil does help, but mostly with the aftertaste. I still prefer the taste of baking soda to the unbearable burning of traditional mouthwash. After swishing with the baking soda mixture my whole mouth feels cleaner and fresher.
What do you think? Would you try my homemade mouthwash recipe? Have you ever made your own? Am I the only one who can't stand store bought mouthwash?
Hi I’m Adrienne Carrie Hubbard. I believe a rich life comes not from the things you have, but the things you do; the experiences you create and the people you meet along the way. Thanks for hanging out!