I’ve been upping my oral health game lately so I decided to give natural mouthwashes a closer look. Usually when we think of mouthwash, we think of a minty power wash like Listerine, but most natural mouthwashes are so much more than a one trick pony.
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Best Natural Mouthwash
My pick for the best natural mouthwash is Simply Silver’s spearmint mouthwash with nano-hydroxyapatite. While I don’t necessarily use a mouthwash every day, I chose the Simply Silver mouthwash because it has ingredients that support the health of my oral microbiome and help remineralize my teeth.
What’s the purpose of a mouthwash?
The purpose of a mouthwash can differ from mouthwash to mouthwash and person to person. In general, mouthwashes can remove any debris that was left behind after brushing and flossing. Mouthwash can help prevent gum disease by preventing plaque from building up, not to mention it can also freshen your breath and even some will brighten and whiten your teeth.
Is a mouthwash really necessary?
While brushing and flossing are non-negotiable in our daily routine, mouthwash isn’t always necessary. Whether mouthwash is necessary for you is really dependent on what is going on in your mouth.
For example, if you have braces or have deep gum pockets where food or bacteria can get trapped, then mouthwashes may be a necessity. Gum pockets or periodontal pockets are spaces around the teeth.
Ingredients to Avoid In Mouthwash
- Alcohol
- Artificial flavors and colors
- Chlorhexidine
- SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
- Fluoride
- Triclosan
- Sodium Saccharin
- Propylene Glycol
- DEA (Diethanolamine)
- Parabens
Ingredients You Want In A Natural Mouthwash
You want natural or in some cases, organic ingredients in your mouthwash. These ingredients will not disrupt the microbiome like artificial ingredients found in most conventional mouthwashes.
- Hydroxyapatite is a good substitute for fluoride in remineralizing enamel.
- Colloidal Silver is a good substitute for alcohol-based mouthwashes. Colloidal Silver kills bad bacteria.
- CoQ10, myrrh, tea tree, black walnut hull, and aloe vera can help freshen breath naturally.
- Oregano, Cinnamon and Clove support healthy tissue and gums.
- Coconut oil, sea salt, and xylitol are good for cleaning the mouth.
- Xylitol, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, peppermint and cinnamon oils have antibacterial properties.
- Essential oils have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and can add a pleasant flavor to mouthwashes.
- Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide, activated charcoal, and coconut oil can help naturally whiten teeth.
Organic vs Natural Ingredients
Natural mouthwashes will include natural vs. artificial ingredients but not always organic ingredients. Sometimes organic isn’t necessary depending on the ingredient and how it is processed.
Some products or brands may not be certified organic, but they may use Non-GMO ingredients.
Related Content: Best Natural Toothpaste Brands
Best Natural Mouthwashes
Risewell Balancing Mouthwash
Risewell is known for their mineral toothpastes that are not only free of toxic ingredients like fluoride, parabens, and sulfates found in conventional toothpastes but they use natural ingredients including an ingredient called hydroxyapatite. It cleans and protects your teeth but it can also improve oral health because hydroxyapatite is part of what makes up our bones and teeth.
About
The Balancing Mouthwash is effective as the name suggests at balancing the pH in your mouth for a healthy oral microbiome. It is powered by Xylitol and essential oils. It is made without harmful chemicals, and it’s also alcohol-free, vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
Active Ingredients
- Xylitol
- Sodium Carbonate
- Wild Mint & Peppermint Oils
- Orange, Lemon & Eucalyptus Oils
- Tea Tree Extracts
- Cinnamon & Thyme Extracts
Cost
$18.00
Review
I really like the wild mint flavor of this mouthwash, it’s refreshing without being overpowering. It also effectively freshened my breath and made my mouth feel clean after using it. However, the freshness doesn’t last long, when I used it at night, in the morning my mouth didn’t feel as clean as when I’ve used some other mouthwashes.
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Related Content: Risewell Toothpaste Review
Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Natural Mouthwash with Xylitol
Nature’s Answer is one of the oldest manufacturers of nutritional supplements and their oral care line was formulated by a dentist. Their oral care products are alcohol-free, gluten-free, fluoride-free, vegan and cruelty-free.
About
The PerioBrite Natural Mouthwash promotes periodontal health by using wildcrafted herbs, known for their cleansing properties and CoQ10, folic acid, oregano, cinnamon, and clove to help support gum health. This formula keeps gum tissues moist, preventing dry mouth and bad breath.
Active Ingredients
- CoQ10
- Folic Acid
- Oregano, Cinnamon and Clove
- Wildcrafted herbs
Cost
$12.95
Review
My mouth woke up as soon as I started swishing this mouthwash around, it is strong or as the kids would say, “spicy”. However, I will say that my mouth felt super clean, even the next morning my mouth felt cleaner than it normally does. The one thing I don’t love is that it has folic acid which is the synthetic version of folate.
Dr. Brite’s Whitening Mouthwash
Dr. Brite was founded by doctors and sisters, Paris and Pooneh who have made it their mission to change the way people practice personal cleanliness. Their products are plant-based and free of toxic chemicals, inflammatory agents, and hormone disruptors.
About
Dr. Brite’s Whitening Mouthwash uses Non-GMO ingredients to help you achieve a whiter smile with activated charcoal and coconut oil, freshen your breath with aloe vera, remineralize your enamel with hydroxyapatite, and boost your gum health with vitamin C. Their mouthwash is also gluten-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, fluoride-free, cruelty-free, vegan and EWG verified.
Active Ingredients
- Coconut Oil
- Vitamin C
- Aloe Vera Juice
- White Activated Charcoal
- Spearmint Leaf Extract
- Hydroxyapatite
Cost
$12.99
Review
I liked Dr. Brite’s whitening mouthwash because it not only helps whiten my teeth but it also contains hydroxyapatite which helps strengthen my teeth’s enamel. I would say that if you’re looking for a mouthwash to do a number on your breath, then this may be too mild, but its other qualities give it its star power. It has a pleasant mint flavor.
Essential Oxygen BR | Organic Mouthwash + Brushing Rinse
Essential Oxygen is a woman-owned brand that seeks to create products that are healthy for people and the environment. They are planet positive with oxygen-based formulas that are regenerative, contributing to greener grass and cleaner oceans.
About
BR | Organic Mouthwash + Brushing Rinse is truly a cleaning formula for your mouth aided by the power of food grade hydrogen peroxide, it whitens teeth, fights bad bacteria, and supports gum health. It is certified organic, alcohol-free, fluoride-free, vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and biodegradable.
Active Ingredients
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Proprietary Blend of Essential Oils
- Aloe leaf juice
Cost
$16.15
Review
This mouthwash is a pre-rinse instead of a post-rinse and as the directions state, you can use it as a brushing rinse or as a pre-rinse before brushing your teeth. Trying to tilt my head back and use it as a brushing rinse seemed like more than I wanted to tackle, so I opted for option B which is to use it as a mouthwash before brushing my teeth. It foams up in the mouth which makes you feel like it’s really working. I tried the peppermint flavored rinse and you would hardly know it was peppermint, but it was fine by me because it got the job done.
It contains hydrogen peroxide which can rid your mouth of both good and bad bacteria so it may not be a mouthwash you would want to use on a daily basis, but I will say it’s a great mouthwash for a clean and fresh mouth. I also love that it’s organic!
If you already are using a toothpaste that has hydroxyapatite in it, then I think using a pre-rinse is a good idea because it doesn’t wipe your mouth clean of any remaining residue of hydroxyapatite that can help remineralize your teeth.
Simply Silver Mouthwash in Spearmint (Nano Hydroxyapatite Formula)
Simply Silver was created by a certified biological dental hygienist who wanted to provide her patients with the cleanest, most effective oral care products on the market. All of their products contain colloidal silver which is a natural cleanser and purifier of teeth and gums. They are also free of fluoride, sulfates, GMO’s, abrasive agents, alcohol, and parabens.
About
Simply Silver Mouthwash in Spearmint (Nano Hydroxyapatite Formula) uses nano hydroxyapatite to remineralize teeth and trace minerals, baking soda, xylitol, and coconut oil work together to increase the pH of saliva which in turn can prevent cavities. The colloidal silver as mentioned above is included as a natural cleanser for the mouth.
Simply Silver is the only mouthwash on the market with raw Croton lechleri sap for gum health. This is an ingredient that has over 50 scientific studies on reducing inflammation, wound healing, and blood coagulation.
Active Ingredients
- Coconut Oil
- Colloidal Silver
- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- Baking Soda
- Xylitol
- Nano-Hydroxyapatite
Cost
$14.99
Review
I like the low-key spearmint flavor of this mouthwash but more importantly I like that it contains colloidal silver and hydroxyapatite. I noticed that my mouth felt clean hours later, even the next morning, it seemed to have slayed the bacteria causing the dreaded morning breath.
One thing to note is that you do have to wait 30 min to eat or drink after rinsing, which isn’t a problem at night, but I have to be mindful of this in the morning when I want to drink water or coffee.
Salt Water Rinse (DIY)
The salt water rinse is a great, inexpensive DIY option. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of sea salt into a glass of water and swish around in your mouth for a minute and then spit it out. Sea salt not only cleans your mouth but it can speed up wound healing and it’s anti-inflammatory.
Active Ingredients
- Redmond real salt
- Filtered water
Cost
$6.99 if you’re buying a bottle of Redmond Real Salt!
Review
While I like minty fresh breath and I don’t love salt water in my mouth, I will gladly add it into my routine a few times a week, because it’s completely natural and is very healing to the mouth, not to mention inexpensive!
A salt water rinse can be especially helpful to use if you have any type of swelling from tissues, mouth ulcers, or have an infection, as it is a disinfectant and can help speed up the healing process.
Most people recommend using a salt water rinse like a mouthwash after brushing your teeth, but after speaking to a biological dentist, I found out that it’s best to use it before brushing your teeth if you’re using a toothpaste with hydroxyapatite. This is because the salt water rinse will remove any residue of hydroxyapatite and you want the hydroxyapatite to build up the enamel on your teeth.
Conclusion: What is the best natural mouthwash?
The best mouthwash for me, may not be the best for you, depending on the state of your mouth and what you’re hoping to achieve with a mouthwash. Right now, for me, the best natural mouthwash is Simply Silver.
Supporting my oral microbiome is my top priority, because I know that it can affect my whole body. While I want to get rid of bad bacteria, I also don’t want to wipe out the good bacteria for the sake of fresh breath and a squeaky clean mouth. Plus, by supporting the health of my teeth and gums, my breath will be positively affected as well.
What’s your favorite natural mouthwash? Share below!
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Hi, thank you for all the mouthwash recommendations! I am using the Essential Oxygen one right now, but may try the Simply Silver in the future. Also, listening to your dentist’s podcast which is great! I do have a question. I wanted to buy a nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste, but recently saw some info on pretty organic girl blog containing concerns about that ingredient and possible banning in Europe. Do you have any info on this? I would like to re mineralize my teeth. Thanks! Victoria
Hi Victoria,
It is a controversial topic. From my research and after discussing with my holistic dentist I feel good using it. But that’s a decision you’ll have to make yourself. It really is the only thing that’s shown to remineralize teeth.