It wasn’t until I met my husband that I discovered mouthwash. I have always been a stickler for good oral hygiene (I’m talking daily brushing and flossing) but mouthwash just seemed like an extra step I never had time for. While my husband swore by the stuff, I held out for years in my holier-than-thou hygiene ways. But while I hate to admit it, it turns out he was onto something.
Controlling the bacteria in your mouth is good for your entire body. And brushing and flossing are great for the teeth and gums, but they do little to remove toxins, limit bacterial overgrowth and freshen those hard to reach places. That’s where these fizzy mouthwash drops come in. They’re like pre-portioned bath bombs for your mouth. Simply pop one, swish, and let them kill bacteria, whiten teeth and leave your teeth feeling sparkling clean.
How to Make Turmeric Mouthwash Drops
How to Make Turmeric Mouthwash DropsUnlike regular mouthwash, these aren’t loaded with chemicals, alcohol (ugh, that burn!) or bleaching agents that can harm your teeth. Instead, they’re packed with natural ingredients like coconut oil, turmeric and baking soda to gently whiten teeth and get rid of bad bacteria.
If you’re familiar with oil pulling, these babies work the same way. Pop one or two in your mouth and chew a bit while they melt. Then gently swish the coconut oil around for a few minutes, letting it get in-between your teeth, around the gums and toward the back of the mouth. When you’re done, spit it out in the trash, taking all the toxins and bacteria with it.
The idea behind oil pulling is that the coconut oil is able to get into the nooks and crannies between your teeth and remove toxins, plaque and other substances that build up over time. Unlike traditional mouthwash and toothpaste, oil may even be able to reach down into the gums and help break down bacteria. Personally, I have noticed that regular oil pulling makes my teeth and gums feel much cleaner than brushing and flossing alone. In fact, at my last appointment, my dentist even commented on how plaque-free my teeth were!
For fun, add a little baking soda and citric acid to the mix. It gives them a subtle effervescence that makes your teeth feel extra clean. But if you’re not a big fan of the taste of baking soda or the tingle that comes with citric acid, feel free to adjust the ratio or leave it out altogether. You can even add some extra stevia and peppermint oil to help mask the taste a bit.
Here’s how to make them.
Mouthwash Drops
Yield 25 drops
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon citric acid
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 1/2 cups coconut oil, melted
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1/2 teaspoon stevia
- parchment paper
Instructions
- Line a small container (I used a plastic food container) with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl combine all the ingredients and whisk together. (Note that you may experience a little fizzing if any of your ingredients or utensils had water on them. This is okay.)
- Pour the coconut oil mixture into the container and freeze for 15 minutes or until solid.
- Remove the coconut oil from the container and use a serrated knife to gently slice them into 1 inch squares. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use (up to one month).
- To use, pop one or two drops into your mouth and chew them a little as they melt. Swish the melted coconut oil around your mouth for a few minutes, then spit in the trash.
How neat! I’ve done some oil pulling before, but I’ve never thought to make drops.
This is so cool!
Could another oil be substituted for coconut oil, though? I’m allergic to coconut and all the nuts, so I have to be super careful since it’s become the new alternative everyone is rushing to. D; Would avocado oil or olive oil work similarly?
I started making my own toothpaste a few months ago and my mouth is much happier for it. These breath fresheners look fun to try as well. Coconut is amazingly versatile!