If you can't find the right mouthwash or find it too expensive, you can try making your own. The great thing about homemade mouthwash is that you know what's in it and can avoid such ingredients as saccharin or coloring. Making mouthwash is fast, fun, and it works just as well as the commercial varieties. [1]
X
Expert Source
Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS
Board Certified Dentist & Oral Surgeon
Expert Interview
Ingredients
Baking soda mouthwash :
- 1 part baking soda
- 6 parts water
- Flavoring (mint)
Rosemary-mint mouthwash :
- 2½ cups distilled or mineral water
- 1 tsp fresh mint leaves
- 1 tsp rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp anise seeds
Spearmint mouthwash :
- 6 ounces water
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 teaspoons liquid glycerine
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 10-15 drops spearmint essential oil
Toothpaste mouthwash :
- Toothpaste of choice
- Water
Steps
-
Mix baking soda and water. You may have to experiment to get the texture you want. [2] X Research source
-
Add mint flavoring or whatever flavor you want your mouthwash to taste like. Just be sure that your flavoring has no sugar in it. [3] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to sourceAdvertisement
-
Measure out 1 tablespoon of mouthwash and gargle for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
-
Boil the water.
-
Add herbs and seeds, infuse for 20 minutes. [4] X Research source
-
Cool, strain and use as a gargle/mouthwash.
-
Double or triple the recipe and add 1 teaspoon of tincture of myrrh as a natural preservative, if you wish to make up a larger quantity.
-
Boil the water and vodka.
-
Add glycerine and aloe vera gel. [5] X Research source
-
Remove from the heat, let cool slightly.
-
Add spearmint oil. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
-
Pour into bottle, cap tightly.
-
Shake well.
-
Get a small glass of drinking water.
-
Squeeze a little of your everyday toothpaste into your glass. Use roughly the same amount you'd need to brush your teeth.
-
Do not swallow this toothpaste!
-
Put a small amount of water in your mouth along with the paste. Work with your cheeks and tongue to break up the toothpaste. Then swoosh inside your mouth for 30 seconds (do not gargle).
- If needed, use a toothbrush to help break it down but be careful not to gag.
-
Spit it all out. Again, do not swallow. Your mouth should feel wonderfully refreshed.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Try using bubble gum flavor instead of mint to make a children's mouthwash.Thanks
Warnings
- Never swallow mouthwash, even if it is just toothpaste and water.Thanks
- You could brush your teeth with a small amount of bicarbonate of soda or baking powder to whiten but this trick is not to be used frequently as it can wear down the teeth with overuse.Thanks
Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about oral hygiene, check out our in-depth interview with Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS .
References
- ↑ Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS. Board Certified Dentist & Oral Surgeon. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.fusiondentalcare.com/four-better-commercial-mouthwash-alternatives-you-should-try/
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/food-additive-status-list
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/rosemary
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/aloe
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7245492/
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
- "Guys, I tried the toothpaste mouthwash. It worked out well. It got rid of my bad breath. The toothpaste mouthwash is also a cost effective method of eliminating bad breath." ..." more