Continued from Part1

Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antibacterial agent for many years because of its oxidizing properties. The chemical is a weak acid and a strong bleaching agent therefore it is not unusual to find hydrogen peroxide listed in the ingredients of some toothpastes and dentifrices. Even dentists use high concentration hydrogen peroxide in professional teeth whitening procedures to remove stubborn stains. Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash can help reduce gum bleeding and clean mouth wounds by killing bacteria and removing dead tissues.

How to make your own hydrogen peroxide mouthwash

Ingredients needed: 3% hydrogen peroxide, water

1. Prepare 8oz (1 cup) of lukewarm water.
2. Add an equal amount of hydrogen peroxide to the cup of water.
3. Stir well.
4. Pour the mouthwash into a brown bottle or opaque container and close the lid.

Instructions for use of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash

• Gargle the mouthwash for 30 seconds and spit out.
• Rinse your mouth with water.
• Do not swallow the mouthwash.
• Use ONLY twice a day as part of your daily oral health regimen to avoid black hairy tongue.
• Keep the mouthwash stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight for hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly when exposed to light.
• Keep the mouthwash stored away from any flammable or combustible substances.
• Keep away from small children to avoid accidental ingestion.
• Chronic use of hydrogen peroxide may have numerous side effects.

Essential Oil Mouthwash

Essential oil is a concentrated liquid made from plants that have evaporative aroma compounds. Commercial mouthwashes that contain essential oils as an active ingredient, for example Listerine® and other generic equivalents sold over the counter; usually contain menthol, thymol, eucalyptol and methyl salicylate which are phenolic compounds. You can make a similar mixture using peppermint and tea tree oil. Peppermint has a high content of menthol which can provide minor pain relief, relive minor throat irritation and gives your breath a minty flavor to reduce bad breath. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic agent that can be used to treat minor infections in the mouth.

How to make your own essential oil mouthwash

Ingredients needed: peppermint essential oil, tea tree essential oil, baking soda /sea salt, water

1. Prepare 4oz (½ cup) of lukewarm water.
2. Add 2 drops of peppermint essential oil, 2 drops of tea tree essential oil and ½ tsp baking soda or sea salt to the cup of water.
3. Stir well until the baking soda/salt dissolves.
4. Pour the mouthwash into a bottle and close the lid.

Instructions for use of essential oil mouthwash

• Gargle the mouthwash for 30 seconds and spit out.
• Use twice a day as part of your daily oral health regimen.
• Do not swallow the mouthwash.
• Keep the mouthwash stored away from any flammable or combustible substances.

Even though these homemade remedies are simple and cost effective, it is wise to not overuse these mouthwashes. Homemade mouthwashes only serve as temporary reliefs so seek treatment from a dentist if there are any persistent problems with your mouth. Mouthwash serves as a part of your daily oral hygiene regimen which includes the need for brushing and flossing daily. Both teeth cleaning aids should not be abandoned with the use of a mouth rinse for mechanical removal of food debris and plaque is more effective than chemotherapeutic means.