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What Is a Baking Soda Mouthwash?

Megan Shoop
Megan Shoop

Baking soda mouthwash can take several forms. The first includes commercially available mouthwash blends that include baking soda in the list of ingredients. The second form is usually a simple homemade mixture of baking soda and water. This relatively easy recipe may be modified with herbs and essential oils to make many different types of baking soda mouthwash.

Some individuals prefer baking soda as a breath-freshener over chewing gum or ordinary mouthwash because it typically kills germs in the mouth and helps loosen dental plaque. Bacteria and scum on the teeth are usually the source of bad breath, so baking soda offers a relatively inexpensive way to tackle the cause of bad breath rather than just cover it up. Commercial mouthwashes that advertise germ-fighting ingredients often contain some percentage of baking soda.

Jar and a scoop with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
Jar and a scoop with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

A very simple way to make baking soda at home generally involves mixing about 1 part of baking soda with 3 or 4 parts warm water. The warm water helps the soda dissolve evenly. Simply swishing this mixture over the teeth and gargling with it should freshen breath for quite a long time. This may be a good morning mouthwash to use right after breakfast or after spicy and garlicky meals. Sea salt is occasionally added to this mixture to help scrub plaque from teeth.

Baking soda mouthwash may help whiten teeth over time.
Baking soda mouthwash may help whiten teeth over time.

Those that dislike baking soda’s intensely salty flavor can reduce this with bruised herbs. Mint, pennyroyal, catnip, rosemary, and cloves are all highly flavorful ingredients that typically combine well with salty falvors. Bruising a small spoonful of fresh or dried herbs and stirring them into the above baking soda mouthwash mixture should help the wash to taste better. All of these herbs generally also help fight bacteria and keep the mouth healthy.

Baking soda can be used as a natural alternative to toothpaste.
Baking soda can be used as a natural alternative to toothpaste.

Lemon and orange zest, tea tree oil, and peppermint essential oil are just a few more things one might add to baking soda mouthwash. If these herbal ingredients don’t add much flavor to the recipe, individuals should try bringing the water to a boil and pouring it over their chosen herbs and letting them steep. Baking soda may be added to the wash after the mixture has cooled to room temperature. If any of the mixture is left after gargling, individuals can strain out the whole ingredients and refrigerate the rest of the wash for future use.

Bacteria on the teeth are usually the source of bad breath, so baking soda offers a relatively inexpensive way to tackle the cause of bad breath.
Bacteria on the teeth are usually the source of bad breath, so baking soda offers a relatively inexpensive way to tackle the cause of bad breath.

Hydrogen peroxide is another popular ingredient in baking soda mouthwash. One spoonful of peroxide per part of baking soda is usually an effective ratio. Peroxide also kills germs in the mouth and may help to whiten teeth over time. None of these baking soda mouthwash recipes should be swallowed in large quantities, however. Doing so may cause nausea and digestive upset.

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    • Jar and a scoop with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
      Jar and a scoop with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
    • Baking soda mouthwash may help whiten teeth over time.
      By: sanneberg
      Baking soda mouthwash may help whiten teeth over time.
    • Baking soda can be used as a natural alternative to toothpaste.
      By: Franny-Anne
      Baking soda can be used as a natural alternative to toothpaste.
    • Bacteria on the teeth are usually the source of bad breath, so baking soda offers a relatively inexpensive way to tackle the cause of bad breath.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Bacteria on the teeth are usually the source of bad breath, so baking soda offers a relatively inexpensive way to tackle the cause of bad breath.