Sea Salt Mouthwash: Benefits, DIY Recipe & Uses

Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of sea salt and warm water may freshen your breath, ward off infection in a new mouth piercing or even whiten your teeth slightly. You can make a basic sea salt mouthwash at home using standard kitchen supplies. Depending on your desired result and your taste, you may add other ingredients, such as peppermint extract and baking soda, to your homemade mouthwash.

Things You'll Need

• Glass
• Warm water
• Sea salt
• Spoon
• Baking soda (optional)
• Peppermint extract (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Combine sea salt with warm water in a glass. Depending on the desired strength of your finished mouthwash, use approximately 1/2 to 1 tsp. of salt per 8 oz. of water.

• 2

  Take a large mouthful of the saltwater from the glass. Do not completely fill your mouth to the point that your cheeks are stuffed and you can barely keep the mixture in your mouth, but don't skimp either. If you're having trouble estimating a workable amount, try completely filling one cheek and leaving the rest of your mouth empty.

• 3

  Swish the saltwater mouthwash around vigorously, keeping your lips tightly closed. Try to swish the saltwater into every section of your mouth and spend approximately equal times swishing it in each part of your mouth. Do not swallow any of the rinse during this process.

• 4

  Spit out the saltwater mouthwash after 30 to 60 seconds of vigorous swishing.

• 5

  Rinse your mouth thoroughly with pure water.