Natural mouthwash: Does it work?
Botanical and natural products have seen a rise in popularity in many aspects of healthcare, including oral health. However, there still remains a certain cynicism around natural ingredients and products. Can they really be as effective as the synthetic alternatives cooked up by commercial companies?
There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to this as we are constantly learning, discovering and rediscovering the benefits and disadvantages of both natural and synthetic ingredients. Where mouthwash is concerned, though, there is some interesting evidence emerging that natural is the way to go.
Does natural mouthwash work?
This depends very much on which one you are using and what you expect a mouthwash to do. A cosmetic mouthwash will do little more than rinse the mouth and freshen the breath. A therapeutic mouthwash can help to fight bacteria, reduce and prevent plaque, protect gums and keep a balanced pH and happy oral microbiome.
It is certainly possible to find an array of natural ingredients that can do just this. In fact, often natural ingredients have the benefit of causing fewer adverse reactions.
It has been proven through case studies that mouthwashes that contain alcohol (ethanol) can actually cause bad breath to worsen as it dries out the mouth. Similarly, chlorhexidine used for receding gums was found to cause staining and an increase in tartar amongst frequent users.
Natural alternatives to synthetic compounds such as aloe vera or ginseng were found to be just as effective and with the benefits of fewer adverse effects on both the mouth and the environment.
Does natural mouthwash fight bacteria?
This can depend on the ingredients. Some mouthwashes work mostly to refresh breath. Look for natural ingredients such as aloe vera, and botanical extracts that can fight plaque and bacteria. There are an ever-increasing number of studies to back up this claim. That is not to say that commercial mouthwashes don’t fight bacteria. They do, but some of the chemicals tend to be strong, and can potentially leave the whole mouth with damage to cheek and gum tissue.
Natural ingredients vs synthetic ingredients
Given the obvious benefits of natural mouthwashes, it begs the question; why even use synthetic ingredients?
Largely, this comes down to money. It is much cheaper to mass-produce mouthwash made of synthetic ingredients than it is to harvest them from organic plants. This inevitably has an impact on the environment in terms of toxic wastes and carbon emissions.
It could be argued that the existing cynicism surrounding natural products has been perpetuated by commercial manufacturers and used to generate mistrust in their overall effectiveness.
On the other hand, research in this area is relatively new and ongoing. It’s encouraging to see natural ingredients holding up to scientific scrutiny.
Should I use a natural mouthwash?
It is always worth looking at what ingredients are used in any of your oral care products. Whilst any adverse effects were minimal in comparison to commercial mouthwash, it’s important to take into account allergies and other health conditions.
The research leans very much towards natural mouthwash as the best choice for your mouth and for the planet!
Sources
Davis RH, Donato JJ, Hartman GM, Haas RC (1994) Anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of a growth substance in Aloe vera. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc
Swathi Vangipuram, Abhishek Jha, and Mamtha Bhashyam (2016) Comparative efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash and chlorhexidine on periodontal health: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry
Bushra Karim et al, (2014) Effect of Aloe vera mouthwash on periodontal health: triple blind randomized control trial. Oral Health Dent Manag
Nadeem Jeddy, Shivani Ravi, T Radhika, and L J Sai, Lakshmi (2018) Comparison of the efficacy of herbal mouth rinse with commercially available mouth rinses: A clinical trial. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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from 1902 reviewsAfter a few days of following the instructions I looked at my teeth in the mirror and was shocked to see that my teeth were whiter. 🙏👌
This floss is very effective. It's thicker and grippier than other flosses, so it gets the job done thoroughly.
This mouthwash is the best I have tried. It really cleanses and has a great taste. It is strong without being overpowering. I will be sticking to this in the future.
These are the perfect size for travel; in a child friendly tin and pocket sized so we won’t ever be without! Love the new hydroxyapatite toothpaste the most!
I love all of my Truthpaste products and the Bamboo Charcoal Floss is the best floss I’ve ever used. I actually feel it’s not only cleaning my teeth efficiently, but it’s also helping them to stay healthy. I ordered the original and the two refills. Will do so again, soon. Thanks guys!
I bought this for my grand children. One age 2 and the other 15. They both like it and are happy to use. Especially my older grand daughter when I explained about all the lovely ingredients.
Like mint flavour and teeth feel clean
I’ve been using this powder for a few weeks now and can honestly say it’s making a positive difference.
Very refreshing mouth wash
I’m really pleased with my toothpaste, I’ve had most of the flavours now and love them, I also tried the mouthwash, which I loved but sadly broke the bottle dropping it on the bathroom floor. I also have the floss, which is great but the best thing about it all was the reaction from my dental hygienist, she was most impressed with my teeth and gums, my teeth are usually badly stained - too much black coffee, but for the first time there were no stains at all and my mouth is super healthy, I’m not going to lie, going fluoride free I was worried about the dentist reaction and also the impact on my oral health but I’m thrilled to report fantastic improvements all round. Thanks Truthpaste.
My receding gums have improved and the gaps on my gums have tightened.
My teeth feel clean and are less stained(happy side effect).
Love the flavours.
Would love a product to help with coated tongue.
Seems to be lessening my sensitivity so far, so happy to give a positive review.
I don’t write reviews often - but this is a super, super product. It’s just a shame I have to wait until I’m in the UK to buy it.
Definitely a fan. It’s now my go-to product!
Lovely little cup for mouthwash. Looks very chic, great size.
I've been using this every day for the past few days and can honestly say the difference in my teeth is amazing. Sensitivity has gone and my whole mouth looks and feels so much fresher and cleaner. I will continue to use and can't recommend highly enough.
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