QUICK SUMMARY
The best homemade mouthwash with essential oils is a gentle, non-toxic oral rinse made with purified or distilled water, alcohol-free witch hazel, baking soda, liquid carrier oil, and breath-freshening essential oils.
This recipe helps freshen breath and support a clean-feeling mouth without artificial colors, alcohol burn, or harsh antibacterial chemicals. The goal is not to sterilize your mouth. Your oral microbiome matters, and beneficial oral bacteria play an important role in oral health, nitric oxide production, and blood pressure balance.
Use this DIY mouthwash as part of a healthy oral care routine that includes brushing, flossing, regular dental care, oil pulling if desired, and a low-toxin lifestyle.
My homemade mouthwash will freshen your teeth and keep your mouth happy and balanced. Mouthwash is found in most homes because it’s advertised to keep mouths minty-fresh. The claims sound appealing, but this common practice can have unwanted side effects when harsh antiseptic rinses are used too often.
When people use an antiseptic mouthwash every day, the entire microbial balance in the mouth can be disrupted, not just the “bad” germs. Beneficial oral bacteria are necessary for good oral health, and the last thing we want to do is kill everyone.
Table of Contents
Clearing Up Mouthwash Confusion
Is mouthwash good for you or not? Many people are confused and for good reason! Several clinical studies show that antimicrobial mouthrinses can help reduce plaque and gingivitis when used appropriately. We’re talking about chemicals like chlorhexidine, an antiseptic antibacterial agent used in dentistry, and triclosan, an antimicrobial agent with a controversial safety and regulatory history. (1)
Here’s the thing: there is a big difference between using a therapeutic rinse for a specific dental reason and using a harsh antiseptic mouthwash every day just because the label promises fresh breath.
“ANTISEPTIC MOUTHWASH CAN DISRUPT GOOD ORAL BACTERIA THAT SUPPORT NITRIC OXIDE, HEALTHY BLOOD VESSELS, AND BLOOD PRESSURE BALANCE!”
Here’s a quick run-down of what the research shows:
- Antiseptic mouthwash products are commonly used to refresh and clean the mouth.
- In a study of 19 healthy volunteers, chlorhexidine mouthwash reduced oral nitrite production by 90% and plasma nitrite levels by 25%. (2)
- That matters because oral nitrate-reducing bacteria help convert dietary nitrate into nitrite, which supports nitric oxide production and healthy blood vessel function. (2)
- In that study, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased by 2 to 3.5 mmHg, and the effect appeared within one day of disrupting the oral microflora. (2)
- A 2020 study found that chlorhexidine mouthwash caused a major shift in the salivary microbiome, created more acidic oral conditions, lowered saliva and plasma nitrite, and was followed by a trend toward increased systolic blood pressure. (3)
- A 2024 review on oral nitrate-reducing bacteria explains that these helpful oral microbes contribute to nitric oxide bioavailability and blood pressure homeostasis. (4)
- Put simply, killing off all the bugs in your mouth each day is not the same as supporting true oral health.
Does this mean every mouthwash is bad? No. It means wisdom matters. Sometimes a dentist may recommend a targeted rinse for a short season. But for everyday freshening, a simple homemade mouthwash with essential oils is a much better fit for many natural living families.
Why Use All-Natural Mouthwash?
With all the mouthwash varieties on the market, why choose an all-natural one? The answer to this question is simple: Your oral health depends on balance.
Your mouth was not designed to be sterile. God created the body with built-in protective systems, including saliva, minerals, and beneficial microbes. A wise oral care routine should support those systems, not constantly attack them.
DIY Mouthwash is Toxin-Free
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized a rule in 2016 that removed 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, from over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products because manufacturers had not shown them to be generally recognized as safe and effective for that use. (5) That ruling was about consumer antiseptic washes, not every mouthwash, but it reinforces an important lesson for natural living families: “antibacterial” does not automatically mean better.
The bottom line is that if we want to enjoy good health, we need to be thoughtful about conventional toothpaste and mouthwash with unnecessary harsh ingredients! You can rest easy knowing that this mouthwash is toxin-free and made with simple, natural ingredients.
DIY Mouthwash Supports a Low-Toxin Lifestyle
One of the easiest ways to reduce your family’s toxic burden is to swap the products you use every single day. Oral care matters because toothpaste and mouthwash go directly into your mouth, where delicate tissues are exposed to the ingredients.
This is why we love simple DIYs. You know what is in the bottle. You can avoid artificial colors, synthetic flavors, alcohol burn, and harsh antibacterial agents. And you can customize the flavor so your family actually enjoys using it.
DIY Mouthwash is Customizable
Like most of my DIYs, this recipe is customizable. I recommend swapping essential oils to fit your specific needs. Here are some of my favorite blends.
- Lime, lemon, grapefruit: This citrus combination is uplifting and gives your mouthwash a bright, clean flavor.
- Orange, clove, peppermint: Orange essential oil adds a beautiful citrus note, while peppermint and clove freshen breath. This is one of my favorite mouthwash blends.
- Cinnamon, clove, orange: I love this blend because it smells like Fall! Cinnamon adds a spicy twist to the orange EO.
- Chamomile and wintergreen: Chamomile is calming, and wintergreen gives a crisp, fresh taste.
Essential oil mouthwash formulas have been studied for plaque and gingivitis outcomes. A 2024 systematic review found that essential oil mouthwashes can improve plaque scores, though the results depend on the formula and whether alcohol is included. (6) This homemade version is alcohol-free and designed for gentle, everyday freshening.
Homemade Mouthwash Ingredient Breakdown
You might be curious to know what exactly goes into a DIY mouthwash! Here’s what you need to make this recipe.
Distilled Water: Water quality matters, especially when you are making something you will swish around your mouth. I recommend purified or distilled water whenever possible because it gives you a clean, neutral base and helps reduce unwanted contaminants from your daily routine.
Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel: One of the drawbacks of store-bought mouthwash is the unpleasant tingling sensation that can burn your mouth. In this recipe, we use witch hazel to give the mouthwash a gentle astringent quality without the harsh alcohol burn.
Baking Soda: This inexpensive ingredient is a pro at pH balancing. Research shows that a sodium bicarbonate oral rinse can significantly increase salivary pH, and newer research suggests sodium bicarbonate rinses may help improve tongue coating and oral malodor markers. (7, 8) Baking soda is a simple, practical ingredient for a clean-feeling mouth.
Carrier Oil: Carrier oil helps disperse essential oils evenly. When creating a recipe with essential oils, using a carrier oil is vital. It is one thing to use EOs wisely in a swish-and-spit mouthwash recipe; it is another thing to put a drop of essential oil in water and take a gulp. Wisdom is crucial, and carrier oils help prevent your mouth from getting irritated.
I want to note that solid coconut oil is not recommended for oral health DIYs as it clogs drains.
Essential Oils: Essential oils are what make this recipe great! You can customize the essential oils to fit your preferences and needs. If you prefer citrus-flavored products, add some lemon or lime essential oil. If you require serious breath-freshening, add clove or peppermint. A 2024 pilot study found that spearmint oil treatment decreased the abundance of several bacteria associated with halitosis and periodontal diseases, which helps explain why mint oils are such a popular choice in natural oral care. (9) The possibilities are endless!
How to Make Homemade Mouthwash with Essential Oils
Making your DIY mouthwash recipe is super easy. After completing this great homemade mouthwash recipe, I recommend creating homemade toothpaste for an added one-two punch!
Homemade Mouthwash with Essential Oils
Quantity
Ingredients
- 10 drops essential oils*
- 1 teaspoon liquid carrier oil**
- 1 tablespoon unscented witch hazel
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup purified OR distilled water
Supplies
Instructions
- In a mason jar, mix the essential oils with the carrier oil, witch hazel, baking soda, and filtered water and shake to blend. When ready to use, swish approximately 1 tablespoon in the mouth for 10 to 15 seconds and rinse.
Step One: Mix Ingredients
In a mason jar, mix the essential oils, carrier oil, witch hazel, and baking soda.
Step Two: Add Water
Fill the jar the rest of the way with the distilled water. When ready to use, swish approximately 1 tablespoon in your mouth for 10-15 seconds, spit, and rinse. Store any leftover mouthwash in a dark, cool place.
How to Use Homemade Mouthwash Safely
Homemade mouthwash with essential oils should be used as a swish-and-spit rinse, not swallowed. This recipe is simple, but essential oils are powerful plant medicine, and a little goes a long way.
Application: Shake the jar before each use. Swish about 1 tablespoon for 10-15 seconds, spit it out, and rinse if desired. Use after brushing or whenever you want a quick freshening boost.
For children, only use this mouthwash with kids who are old enough to swish and spit reliably. Use milder essential oils and fewer drops for children, and avoid strong oils like oregano, cinnamon bark, thyme, and wintergreen unless you are working with a qualified practitioner.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, have a history of seizures, or are under care for a medical condition, choose gentler oils and use wisdom. Peppermint, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme are powerful and are not the best fit for every person.
Because this recipe contains water and does not use a strong preservative, make small batches, store it in a cool, dark place, and discard it if the smell, color, or texture changes.
Homemade Mouthwash FAQs
What is the best homemade mouthwash for fresh breath?
The best homemade mouthwash for fresh breath is a gentle swish-and-spit rinse made with purified or distilled water, baking soda, alcohol-free witch hazel, liquid carrier oil, and essential oils such as peppermint, spearmint, clove, orange, lemon, lime, or chamomile.
Can you put essential oils in homemade mouthwash?
Yes, you can put essential oils in homemade mouthwash when they are properly diluted and dispersed in a carrier oil. Do not add essential oils to plain water and swallow them. This recipe uses carrier oil to help distribute the essential oils and protect delicate mouth tissue.
What essential oils are best for mouthwash?
Peppermint, spearmint, clove, orange, lemon, lime, cinnamon, chamomile, and wintergreen are popular essential oils for mouthwash. For everyday family use, peppermint, spearmint, orange, lemon, lime, and chamomile are usually gentler choices than hot oils like cinnamon, oregano, and thyme.
Is homemade mouthwash safe to use every day?
For most adults, this homemade mouthwash can be used as part of a daily oral care routine when the oils are properly diluted and the rinse is spit out. If your mouth feels irritated, reduce the essential oils, use gentler oils, or use it less often.
Does mouthwash kill good bacteria?
Strong antiseptic mouthwashes can disrupt beneficial oral bacteria. Research on chlorhexidine mouthwash shows that it can reduce oral nitrite production, change the salivary microbiome, and lower nitrite availability. (2, 3) That is why we prefer gentle, non-toxic oral care for everyday use.
Should I swallow homemade mouthwash?
No. This homemade mouthwash is designed to be swished and spit out. Swish approximately 1 tablespoon for 10-15 seconds, spit, and rinse.
Does homemade mouthwash replace brushing and flossing?
No. Mouthwash is a helper, not the foundation. Keep brushing, flossing, eating a mineral-rich diet, visiting your dentist, and using natural oral care tools wisely.
How long does homemade mouthwash last?
Because this recipe is water-based and does not contain a strong preservative, make small batches and store the mouthwash in a cool, dark place. Discard it if it changes smell, color, or texture.
Can I use solid coconut oil in this recipe?
No. Solid coconut oil can clog drains. Use a liquid carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10690548/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3605573/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093448/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2024.1337281/full
- https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/consumer-antiseptic-wash-final-rule-questions-and-answers
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11717972/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5773983/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12509335/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11356387/
