Babaee, N., et al. (2012). Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis. If you don’t and would like to make the mouthwash last longer, you can buy the gel online (links above).

In Group 1 (n = 100) Aloe vera mouthwash was given to the participants and instructed to use 10ml twice a day for 60 seconds for the experimental period of 4 days; in Group 2 (n = 100) Chlorhexidine mouthwash was given to the participants and instructed to use 10ml twice a day for 4 days and in Group 3 (n = 100) saline water was given as the mouthwash. The ethical approval was obtained from ethical review board New Horizon Dental College and research institute NHDCRI, Bilaspur, and written informed consent was taken from each participants. Study was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki for Biomedical research involving human subject. Kumar G, Devanand G, John B, Ankit Y, Khursheed O, Sumit M. Preliminary antiplaque efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash on 4 day plaque re -growth model: randomized control trial. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2014;24(2):139. doi:10.4314/ejhs.v24i2.6

How we tested

The Study was conducted for 30 days. The study participants were randomly allocated into the three study groups (130 in each groups) through lottery method. Individuals were identified by code numbers throughout the study. The Three groups formed were i) Aloe Vera mouth wash group ii) Cholrhexidine (0.12%) mouth wash group iii) Placebo group. All three types of mouthwashes were kept in similar container after preparation and same flavor of spearmint was added to each solution to blind the subjects in which group they fall (single blinding). All mouth rinse bottle were coded and was handed over to study participants by an investigator-1 not participating in the clinical examination and data analysis. (Double blinding). Investigator-2 too was unaware of the mouthwash allotted, who recorded plaque and gingival index scores. (triple Blinding). All clinical parameters were recorded at base line, 15 days and 30 days. For oral hygiene all participants were given similar set of toothbrush (Thermoseal Ultra-soft ICPA Health Products Limited) and toothpaste ( Sensodent K Toothpaste, Warren Pharmaceuticals, containing potassium nitrate as key ingredient, without any antiplaque agent), each participants were asked to brush 2 minutes in morning, to nullify any confounding effect of oral hygiene measures.

The beauty of making your own mouthwash is that you control the ingredients that go into it. You can go for all-natural ingredients or can also add some helpful chemicals like hydrogen peroxide (if you're cautious). The best part is that it's much less expensive than commercial products. Sample size and randomization: All the undergraduate students of Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre were subjected to clinical examination, and a sampling frame (n = 1410) was prepared for those who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A sample size of 300 was arrived at by using Statistical Software. A total of 300 volunteers were randomly allocated into the three study groups through computer-generated random numbers. Random allocation of mouthrinses was done using the lottery method. It’s important to brush and floss your teeth before using the aloe vera mouthwash, so it can do its job properly. Having a clean mouth allows it to get into all the tiny crevices so it can kill germs and remove plaque build-up. step 2: rinse

Recipe #1: Basic homemade mouthwash

Our result showed that Aloe vera mouthrinse is equally effective in reducing periodontal indices as Chlorhexidine. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of gingival bleeding and plaque indices in both groups over a period of 15 and 30 days as compared to placebo group. There was a significant reduction on plaque and gingivitis in Aloe vera and chlorhexidine groups and no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>0.05). Aloe vera mouthwash showed no side effects as seen with chlorhexidine. If you want to avoid typical mouthwash, there are also a couple techniques (some of which people have used for centuries) that you can use as part of your oral hygiene routine:

This homemade mouthwash takes advantage of the oral hygiene benefits offered by aloe vera, particularly for those with periodontal disease. In fact, a 2016 study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry showed that aloe vera had equal effectiveness to Chlorhexidine, a commonly used antimicrobial. Researchers determined that aloe vera is effective at curing and preventing gingivitis. Ingredients Consult with your dentist to find brands that are safe to use. How can I make homemade mouthwash taste better?A preliminary 2014 study found that applying aloe vera to anal fissures helped aid healing. Although the study showed positive results, the researchers indicated that further research is necessary to prove the effectiveness of this treatment option. Treating acne Cinnamon oil —Cinnamon contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Cinnamon oil also has antimicrobial properties that protect against bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. Tyrrell KL, Citron DM, Warren YA, Nachnani S, Goldstein EJC. Anaerobic bacteria cultured from the tongue dorsum of subjects with oral malodor. Anaerobe. 2003;9(5):243-246. doi:10.1016/S1075-9964(03)00109-4

Mouthwash is the kind of thing you’re supposed to use every day, so you want to make sure you like the way yours tastes. Some natural mouthwashes boast classic mint flavors, while others taste like cinnamon—and some others even taste like fruit. So how does mouthwash help promote good oral hygiene? Mouthwash offers the ability to reach areas of your mouth that brushing and flossing may miss. Different mouthwash ingredients target different things. For example, mouthwashes can help reduce or control plaque and gingivitis, help treat bad breath, whiten teeth, and help prevent tooth decay. Some mouthwashes also cater to people with dry mouth, sensitive teeth, or mouth sores. Benefits of making your own mouthwash The gel-like substance contains chemicals that can soothe and cool the skin, which makes it effective in treating sunburns and some of the symptoms of other skin conditions. Face Aloe vera has demonstrated antibacterial action against a range of bacteria particularly against Streptococcus mutans, which account for its anti-plaque action ( 21). Some of the constituents of Aloe vera like Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate are involved in collagen synthesis, and hence, provide relief in swelling and bleeding gums ( 20). Further, although dental students have been used as participants in trials of oral hygiene products in several studies similar to ours, such a practice limits the external validity of the study results. Further, the participants in this clinical trial may have experienced Hawthorne 57 and novelty effects, 58 which could contribute to behavioural changes due to their awareness that they were part of a clinical trial regardless of the mouthwash they receive. 59 In contrast, non-compliance with the proper usage of mouthwash could also occur. No severe side effects or adverse events were reported by any of the study participants, which could be due to the short follow-up duration. However, additional enquiries on subjective findings such as taste perception and opinion would have been beneficial.

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Spearmint oil —Another antimicrobial-containing oil, spearmint, helps kill germs that cause pain, disease, and decay. Sometimes instead of using oils, DIYers will use spices or other types of plant extracts in their mouthwash. Two very common examples are aloe vera water and xylitol, used to soothe pain and reduce plaque buildup. Xylitol also acts as a low-calorie sweetener. Spices like clove, cinnamon, and turmeric are used in mouthwash not just for their flavor, but also for various health benefits.