Blog / Beverages

09 Mar 2018

Why not to use conventional mouthwash

Each year millions of dollars are spent on over-the-counter whitening and teeth cleaning products and it seems like people young and old are preoccupied with having pearly white teeth and fresh breath. This is understandable as the state of our breath and our teeth have a big impact on our self-confidence and influence how we interact with others. 

Conventional mouthwash is becoming very popular because it is a quick and easy way to clean the mouth and get minty fresh breath. If you’re on a plane, on a date or at work you may not have the time or the tools to properly brush your teeth, but mouthwash is convenient and can be used just about anywhere. It is also very effective at getting into the hard-to-reach places that your toothbrush or floss may miss. 

Unfortunately, conventional mouthwash contains chemicals that can actually have a negative effect on the teeth and the health of the body.  It often contains the chemical chlorhexidine which is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent and is known to stain teeth and increase calculus formation. Conventional mouthwash also typically contains alcohol as this is a powerful anti-microbial agent. However, alcohol dries out the mouth and kills the beneficial bacteria in the mouth which can lead to a build up of plaque and bad breath. The minty fresh feeling and smell will last for a short time but in the long run conventional mouthwash will only further contribute to bad breath and poor oral health.  

Our mouth contains both healthy bacteria and “bad” bacteria and the balance between the two is very delicate and important to maintain for oral health. Bad breath occurs when this becomes imbalanced and there is an excess of the “bad” sulphur-producing bacteria in the mouth. You can balance the good and bad bacteria in the mouth and prevent bad breath and tooth decay by eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, keeping the mouth moist, cleaning your teeth and tongue, and using a natural alcohol-free mouthwash daily. 

Here is a recipe for a natural mouthwash that is free from alcohol and will give you a bright smile and fresh breath. 

Ingredients:

2 cups water 
2 tablespoons of xylitol
1 tablespoon of calcium/magnesium mineral powder
6 drops of organic peppermint essential oil
6 drops of organic lemon essential oil

Combine all these ingredients into a glass bottle and shake well. Swish this natural mouthwash around in the mouth for about 40 seconds before spitting it out. 


Sources 

http://www.simpleorganiclife.org/natural-solution-mouthwash-2063596526.html?page=1
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/simple-natural-mouthwash-recipe/