How to Make Mouthwash With Tea Tree Oil
Therapeutic grade tea tree oil used in aromatherapy contains several medicinal properties which make it a good mouthwash ingredient. According to "The Aromatherapy Bible" (Gill Farrer-Halls; 2005), tea tree oil can kill fungal infections, viruses and bacteria. Both bacteria and fungal infections can not only cause bad breath, but also other potential mouth and gum diseases. Although there are several brands of mouthwash with tea tree oil on the market, it is less expensive to make it yourself. Always ask your doctor if it safe for you to use tea tree oil, because it can interact badly with some medications.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Large glass or cup
- 6 oz. spring water or tap water
- Bottle of tea tree oil
- Paper cup
- Olive oil or other oil easily absorbed by the skin
- Cotton swab
- Eyedropper or pipette (optional)
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1
Skip to Step Three if you already know that your skin can tolerate tea tree oil. Otherwise, place one drop of tea tree oil in ten drops of olive oil, jojoba oil or other oil into a paper cup. Mix with cotton swab and dab onto your wrist, ankle or other patch of skin.
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2
Wait 24 hours. Check the spot where the diluted tea tree mixture was dabbed on. If the skin is red and itchy, stop. Your skin is too sensitive for a tea tree oil mouthwash or other tea tree oil based products. If there is no reaction, proceed to Step 3.
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3
Fill glass or cup with 6 ounces of clean spring water or tap water if it is of good enough quality to drink straight from the tap.
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4
Take the bottle of pure tea tree oil and add three to four drops to the glass of water. Use an eyedropper or pipette if the tea tree oil bottle does not have a built-in dropper. Since pure tea tree oil is strong, it is important to use no more than four drops or the skin may become irritated. Mix or shake.
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5
Rinse or gargle with the tea tree oil mouthwash for about one minute. Do not swallow. Spit out the mixture.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a separate glass or cup just for tea tree mouthwash, because the tee tree oil taste will be nearly impossible to remove.
Only use tea tree oil that identifies it's species of origin (Melaleuca alternifolia). Otherwise, it will be not be safe enough to put into your mouth.
Do not use undiluted tea tree oil because it will burn.
Immediately spit out if you feel a stinging or burning sensation in the mouth.
Do not swallow the tea tree oil mouthwash. Whatever is absorbed by your mouth is not enough to harm you, but swallowing the entire glass will.
Do not use tea tree oil mouthwash in place of regular tooth brushing or visiting a dentist regularly.
