Oxygenating mouthwash enriches your dental care routine with oxygen, which helps whiten teeth, kill germs and freshen your breath. While many contain alcohol, some commercial mouthwash brands rely on hydrogen peroxide to oxygenate the teeth and gums; this encourages the healing of minor mouth irritations such as ulcers, sores and inflammation. You can use peroxide at home to make a simple oxygenating mouthwash to enjoy the same effects -- without the costs associated with brand-name products.
- Clean glass or bottle
- Filtered, distilled or mineral water
- Hydrogen peroxide (food grade, 3-percent solution)
- Baking soda
- Stirring spoon
- Seasonings or essential oils (optional)
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Instructions
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1
Fill a glass or bottle, such as a clean and empty commercial mouthwash bottle, about two-thirds of the way full with filtered, distilled or mineral water.
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2
Add food-grade, 3-percent hydrogen peroxide to the water, making a mixture of about two-thirds water and one-third peroxide. No matter how much mouthwash you make -- a single-use dosage in a glass or a whole bottle's worth -- stick to a ratio of one part peroxide and two parts water.
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3
Add a few pinches of baking soda to the solution -- roughly a pinch for every capful of mouthwash -- and gently stir until the baking soda dissolves.
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4
Rinse your mouth for about 30 to 60 seconds, swishing vigorously without swallowing, and then spit out the mixture.