DIY Essential Oil Mouthwash Recipes and Tips

DIY Essential Oil Mouthwash Recipes and Tips

Researchers have put essential oil mouthwash to the test, and the results are intriguing. Are you ready to try one of these recipes for your own?

How Essential Oil Mountwash Stacks Up

When compared against control groups, participants in multiple studies have reduced their overall plaque levels by including a mouthwash with essential oils in their daily dental routines.

After thoroughly reviewing all of the research, a study published in Evidence-Based Dentistry concluded that essential oil mouthwash is an effective way to reduce plaque and gingivitis when combined with standard routine dental care at home.

DIY MouthWash Recipes to Try

While you can buy essential oil mouthwashes online, you can also make your own and perhaps save some money.

To help you create natural mouthwash with the right ingredients for the results you want to achieve, we collected some of the best DIY essential oil mouthwash recipes plus some tips to make mouthwash mixing easier, faster and more affordable.

Simple Essential Oil Mouthwash Recipe

Mix the following ingredients in an 8-ounce bottle with a flip top. Glass bottles are best for essential oils.

  • 6 oz. water
  • 1 oz. vodka
  • 3-4 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil
  • 3 drops myrrh

Vodka is included to kill germs and bacteria, but you can simply use an extra ounce or two of water if you want to skip that ingredient.

Natural, Antibacterial Mouthwash from DIY Natural

Mix the following ingredients in a small Mason jar:

  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup water (filtered or distilled is recommended)
  • 2 drops tea tree essential oil
  • 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Baking soda settles to the bottom of the jar between uses, so shake it up before using it.

Homemade Natural Mouthwash

Mix the following ingredients in a mason jar:

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp xylitol
  • 8 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 20 drops mineral drops
  • 1 cup water (distilled is recommended)

Xylitol gives this DIY essential oil mouthwash a sweeter taste. Mineral drops offer minerals that your teeth and gums may need to stay healthy. Make sure to shake before each use to redistribute the baking soda.

Simple Mouthwash from doTERRA

Add the following ingredients in a 16-ounce dark glass bottle:

  • 10 drops peppermint oil
  • 2 cups water

You can always add other essential oils, but make sure that you cut back on the peppermint oil to create an even blend.

Homemade Mouthwash from Dr. Axe

Mix the following ingredients in a BPA-free plastic dispenser bottle. You could also use a glass jar or other container that is safe for essential oils.

  • 5 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 5 drops tea tree essential oil
  • 2 cups water (spring water is recommended)

DIY Homemade Mouthwash from The Nourished Life

This recipe is designed to whiten and add minerals that your gums and teeth may need for great health. It has more ingredients and may take more time and money to create, but it’s an option if you want to do more with your mouthwash than freshen your breath.

Mix the following ingredients in a large glass mixing cup, and then transfer to a glass jar:

  • 2 tsp calcium carbonate powder
  • 10 drops liquid Stevia
  • 10 drops concentrated trace minerals liquid
  • 10 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 5 drops lemon essential oil
  • 2 cups water (filtered water is recommended)

Vodka alcohol is an optional addition to this recipe. The goal is to kill germs and bacteria, but it will leave your breath smelling of alcohol.

Homemade Mouthwash Recipe from The Prairie Homestead

Mix the following ingredients in a glass bowl, and then transfer to a mason jar. Fill the jar to the top with added water at the end.

  • 1 cup water (filtered is recommended)
  • 1 T alcohol-free witch hazel oil
  • 1 t fractionated coconut oil
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 12 drops of essential oils of your choice

Note that coconut oil can clog your drains when washed down the sink. Since you will likely use your mouthwash at the sink and then wash it down the drain, you may want to substitute another carrier oil for coconut oil. Sweet almond oil is a good alternative.

DIY Essential Oil Mouthwash Tips & Tricks

  • Most of these recipes require you to mix essential oils with water in a mason jar, which will take up space on the bathroom counter. Large glass jars are also heavy when full. You have the option of mixing just the essential oils in a small oil jar that allows you to dispense one drop at a time. You can simply add the oils to a small cup of water when you’re ready to use the mouthwash. You don’t get the baking soda this way, but it’s a great way to take essential oil mouthwash away from home.

  • Natural mouthwash is made with some of the more intense essential oils when it comes to flavor. If you don’t find the flavors pleasing, add a couple drops of liquid Stevia to balance those strong flavors with a touch of sweetness.

  • A lot of DIY essential oil mouthwash recipes recommend tea tree oil, even though many resources like the Mayo Clinic consider it toxic for internal use. You don’t want to swallow tea tree oil, but many people do use it as a mouthwash without side effects. Just make sure that you don’t swallow it. There are recipes that don’t include this oil if you prefer not to use it.

How to Use Your DIY Essential Oil Mouthwash

You can replace store-bought mouthwash with your essential oil mouthwash or use it as a wash to quickly freshen your breath throughout the day.

A small glass oil bottle is much easier to take with you than a bottle of Listerine, and you only need a drop or two blended with a small amount of water to give your breath a minty touch. The right essential oils will soothe your gums and brighten your teeth as well.

Some essential oil blends like OraMD recommend that you brush with the oils rather than standard toothpaste.

This has improved gingivitis and overall gum health for many people, and you can make similar mouthwash blends on your own.

OraMD is simply a blend of sweet almond, spearmint leaf and peppermint leaf essential oils.

Whether you use your essential oil mouthwash for brushing and gargling or just as a mid-day breath freshener, you will know exactly what’s in the bottle.

If the chemicals and added ingredients in store-bought products make you uneasy, DIY essential oil mouthwash is your natural alternative.

Related Articles:

Return to the Oil Health Supplements Home Page