Homemade Natural Mouthwash – with Xylitol and Green Tea

Nature's Recipes Magazine | Oral & Gum Health

Sometimes the simplest recipes are precisely the ones worth knowing.

Homemade mouthwashes based on water and salt have been in use for generations. Over the years, additional ingredients were added to them, and today we know a little more about the way each of them affects the environment of the mouth.

This recipe combines green tea, xylitol, salt and baking soda. Four simple ingredients that can be found in the kitchen, for preparing a gentle mouthwash, without alcohol, food coloring or artificial flavorings.

The rinse is intended to refresh the mouth and to temporarily relieve mild gum discomfort. It is not a proven treatment for gum inflammation.

Homemade Natural Mouthwash – with Xylitol and Green Tea

Nature's Recipes Magazine | Oral & Gum Health

⏱ Preparation time: 7 minutes

🧴 Quantity: about 240 ml

🔁 Suggested frequency of use: once to twice a day, as needed

👤 Suitable for: Adults

Preparation

1. Heat the water to just before boiling.
2. Add the green tea bag and steep for 3–5 minutes.
3. Remove the bag and let the infusion cool slightly.
4. Add the xylitol, the salt and the baking soda.
5. Mix well until all the ingredients dissolve.
6. Wait until the solution reaches room temperature.

The mouthwash is ready to use.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water – 240 ml
• 1 bag of natural green tea, with no additives
• ½ teaspoon pure xylitol (Xylitol)
• ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

What Is Important to Know?

• Do not swallow the mouthwash.
• Use is intended for adults only.
• In case of burning or irritation, stop using it.
• Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and must be kept away from pets.
• Recurring gum bleeding, swelling or significant pain require an examination by a dentist.

Instructions for Use

Pour one tablespoon of the solution (about 15 ml) into a clean cup.

Rinse the mouth gently for 20–30 seconds and spit.

It can be used once a day, and if needed up to twice a day, as long as the rinse does not cause irritation. This is a suggested frequency of use for the homemade recipe, and not a dosage that was clinically tested for this mixture.

It is recommended to prepare the solution fresh. If a larger amount is prepared, it should be used the same day and the leftovers poured out at the end of it.

What Is Special About Each of the Ingredients?

Xylitol – Sweetness Without Regular Sugar

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is also found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables.

It has been studied in the context of dental health because certain bacteria associated with tooth decay do not utilize it in the same way they utilize sugar.

However, most of the studies were conducted on chewing gums or dedicated preparations, and not on homemade mouthwashes. Therefore there is still no proof that adding it to this recipe prevents tooth decay.

Green Tea – Polyphenols from Plants

Green tea contains catechins, plant antioxidants that have been studied in the context of bacterial plaque buildup and gum health.

Some of the studies on rinse preparations containing green tea extracts found encouraging results, but the overall findings are not conclusive. A homemade tea infusion is not identical to a concentrated research extract.

Sea Salt – A Tradition of Generations

Salt water rinses are one of the familiar home ways to relieve mild irritation in the oral cavity.

A gentle salt solution can help clean the mouth and reduce a temporary feeling of discomfort.

There is no need to use expensive or special salt. Regular table salt is also suitable.

Baking Soda – Balancing Acidity

Baking soda is a basic substance that helps neutralize acidity.

When it is well dissolved in water and at a moderate concentration, it is not expected to harm tooth enamel. Rinses based on baking soda and salt are also used in medical settings for supportive care of the oral cavity.

Can Clove Be Added?

Clove is known in traditional medicine in the context of tooth and gum pain.

It contains eugenol, a compound that has been studied for its anesthetic and antimicrobial activity.

For this recipe I chose not to add clove powder or clove essential oil. Clove powder does not dissolve in water, and the active substances in it may irritate the delicate tissues in the mouth.

The mouthwash does not replace tooth brushing, cleaning between the teeth or professional gum treatment.

In Conclusion

I love the option of taking a few simple ingredients from the kitchen and preparing something useful from them.

Not every traditional recipe has to be complicated, and not every natural mixture needs to contain ten different herbs and oils.

Sometimes a few ingredients chosen out of an understanding of their properties are enough.

That is exactly the idea behind “Nature's Recipes” — to get to know homemade recipes anew, to check what stands behind them and to discover which of them can fit into everyday life.

Note: This is a homemade recipe based on ingredients that were studied separately. The exact combination was not tested in a clinical study, and therefore it should not be seen as a proven treatment for tooth decay or gum disease.

With love, Nurit Rozenblat / OrOrgani

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