Can an Herbal Mouthwash Really Work?

There was a time when anyone who suggested using an herbal mouthwash would have been considered a bit odd, to be kind about it. But what might be considered even more odd is that these people may have been right all along.

Studies that have been conducted around the world have proven that all natural, herbal mouthwash formulations are effective as a daily means of oral care. These products can:

• Freshen breath
• Help prevent gum disease gingivitis
• Help prevent tooth discoloration
• Help heal mouth ulcers
• As well as promote general good oral hygiene

The very best of these all-natural products work by using the power of the essential oils from peppermint, spearmint, and almond. These oils have long been known to have health benefits for humans, and, depending on how they are formulated, can also be a huge and safe benefit for oral care.

The key, however, is how they are formulated, and the only way to know if a particular brand of herbal mouthwash is going to be effective for you is to learn what testing they have done on their products and what those results were. There are brands that could be considered less than effective, produced by companies that are less than honorable. When you begin your research into this area, look for companies that have conducted studies and testing on a large scale, preferably internationally. Look for viable and reliable results from the testing that show that the product is effective and safe, such as those found in the OraMD® products.

All natural products do not contain alcohol and/or sugar, two of the most common ingredients in most other over-the-counter products. The problem with these ingredients is that the germs that cause bad breath and halitosis love to feed on these ingredients. Once that has happened, they release by-products that are, in fact, the cause of bad breath. By ingesting these materials you may actually be increasing the problem of bad breath, to say nothing of increasing your chances for gum disease through overuse of sugar or sugar substitutes.

When you use an all natural mouthwash you avoid these ingredients, and that alone is one step toward better oral hygiene and better breath. But, again, do your homework first. Find those 100% pure products that have been tested thoroughly and have been proven to be safe and effective. This could be the most important oral care time investment that you make this year.