Essential Oils are fantastic for helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. I’m using Dreaming Earth’s Germ Buster blend for my oral hygiene routine because it contains so many healing essential oils for healthy teeth and gums, all in one go. I am almost three weeks into my natural dental health “experiment” (see previous post). I can report that my mouth continues to feel much cleaner. My teeth and gums feel stronger. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but my skin feels softer, too. These are hardly scientific findings, but they are enough for me to want to continue on. I’ll keep you posted on my experience with oil pulling and natural toothpaste in future posts. If you are interested in making your own toothpaste or mouthwash, here are some ideas.
Clove Oil is one of my favorite essential oils for healthy teeth and gums. It helps fight germs and, like peppermint, numbs pain and fights bad breath. Because clove is so intense, make sure to dilute it well before using.
When it comes to a great all-purpose oral health oil, reach for Manuka or Tea Tree Essential Oil. For oral hygiene, these are both invaluable–helping to fight germs, heal cold sores and kill bad breath.
Blend these together, and add to 8 oz of water. I’d recommend adding a few drops of carrier oil (such as almond or jojoba) to the water to help disperse the essential oils. If you use just water you’ll need to shake well each time before using. After brushing, add a few drops to your toothbrush and gently brush teeth and gums. Rinse and spit–do NOT swallow! Or, use as a mouth rinse after brushing. You can adjust the strength to your taste by making the essential oil concentration stronger or more diluted. Also, see our last blog posting on natural homemade oral hygiene products for some simple recipes.
Lastly, if you want to keep it simple, try our newest tooth and gum blend called Love Your Mouth. It combines many of these essential oils to great effect. It tastes fantastic and leaves my mouth feeling super-clean all day long. Here’s to a fresh, clean, healthy mouth!
Thanks for all these great ideas! I’ve been using a drop or two of tea tree oil on my toothbrush after my regular brushing and I really feel like it’s made a difference in the health of my gums. I like the idea of adding some other oils that might make it taste better though!
I would like to try using essential oils for my teeth and gums. What should I look for when purchasing essential oils to make sure they are a of a high quality and okay to use in my mouth?
Be sure you’re using 100% pure essential oils–not “fragrance” oils or “scented” oils but pure essential oils. If you’re just starting out you might want to try peppermint essential oil or tea tree–these are both readily available, inexpensive and wonderful for your teeth and gums. And remember not to swallow the essential oils when using–always rinse and spit.
Okay, thanks. One other question, would organic jojoba oil be okay to use as the carrier oil? I have seen almond oil used elsewhere but I haven’t got any at the moment. What would you recommend?
Yes, jojoba is a great choice.
I would like to start using these oils for my teeth and gums, but i was wondering if any of them would inert act with the MEDs that i take?
I would recommend checking with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure there’s no problem with drug interactions.
I couldn’t help but notice that that’s a lot of essential oils per 1oz. So you never experienced any discomfort from such concentrations? I also read that clove oil is very concentrated and a little goes a long way.
It’s about a 15% blend which is high compared to blends for the skin, but they’re being used as a rinse and quickly washed out unlike massage blends which stay on and do become absorbed more fully. I personally tend to use these blends by adding a drop of two to my (wet) toothbrush after brushing. I brush one more time gently with the blend and then rinse. I’ve had no trouble at all but one could certainly halve the amounts of eo or double the carrier.
I am curious to know if these oils put any negative effects on teeths or are they 100% secure to use. Let me know please.
Use a cold compress or a bag of ice covered in a towel to help with the pain and swelling. You can apply lavender, chamomile or helichrysum oil to the area a few times a day. Lavender is our favorite–most people have it on hand and it really minimizes the pain.
Msg powder. It’s a protein dissolver and bee venom is protein based. This is why people use steak tenderizer on jellyfish stings, et al. You can find straight msg at most spice shops. Make a paste, apply, use and ice pack over it.
Is it important to use food grade essential oils if you put them in m your mouth. MMS (Utah) has a lot of essential oils but they are not labeled as food grade.
Hello, found your site when searching for herbal alternatives to the chlorhexadrine mouthwash given to me today by my dentist. Apparently I have mild gingivitis and this new dentist did a cleaning and then handed me products I know are tested on animals. So I am looking for alternatives. Any suggestions for essential oils, and when you say to use a carrier oil, can I use almond oil? And am I to understand that even with the carrier oil one should not swallow the concoction? Thanks very much.
Sure, any of the essential oils listed in this blog post (there’s a recipe as well) or our Germ Buster blend would be great choices for you. Sweet Almond oil is a fine choice for a carrier and you are right–please don’t swallow even with the oil base.
Where do I buy these essential oils because I want to start using them for my teeth and gums..
Many toothpastes have sorbitol, aspartame- and I would like to avoid these artificial sweeteners. Is it ok to use peppermint/spearmint oil only for teeth brushing?
I wouldn’t use straight essential oils for your teeth–definitely dilute them with a carrier. The above recipe is simple and if you don’t have coconut oil you can substitute another carrier (base) oil of your choice, ie sesame, olive, almond oil.
Hi, I looked up your Germ Buster Blend and it says it is not good for the skin, even diluted…so gums are a type of skin right??? or what am I missing here? is it okay to use on gums?
Good question! Yes, we don’t recommend it for the skin because some of the essential oils could irritate sensitive skin. We’ve never heard of anyone having problems using it as a rinse for the teeth and gums. We still do recommend that you dilute the germ buster, though, as using it ‘straight’ would be too strong. And of course rinse well after using and don’t ingest.
What will the oils in a water base do to my waterpik?
I actually don’t know! I’d suggest checking with the manufacturer to see if essential oils would be okay to use. I’m thinking yes, but they should be able to tell you for sure.
Hello, I tried using essential oils in the Waterpik, but it really did not work out well. Oil and water don’t mix, so even after it was stirred around, the oil sat on top of the water. By the time the water drained through the system, there was not enough to get the oil distributed through the machine.
Have had a tooth-ache related to infected gums for a couple of days. Usually this means going to the dentist for antibiotics, which I hate doing. The first application made the tooth ache even more severly but now it is MUCH better. Will get back in a day or so and give the end of the story.
I haven’t tried using oils for my tooth and gum care hygiene since I’m doing fine with the use of regular toothpaste. My sister and mom both have oral problems like bad breath, tooth decay and gum bleeding once in a while. My mom just got her tooth extracted and the doctor is taking it slowly for her before she gets another appointment for tooth extraction because she is hypertensive. She only has five teeth that are wide apart and brushing it daily hurts her gums. Will gargling the Germ Buster together with the essential oil be enough as a substitute for brushing?
I would advise your mom to check with her dentist, especially since she’s having so much dental work done. Thanks!
My son does not know how to spit out his toothpaste, he swallows it instead. I would like to try and wet his toothbrush, then dip it in the essential oil solution (diluted with as much water as needed) and help him brush with this solution. Since there would be such a small residue left in his mouth, do you think it would be safe for him to swallow?
I would say that once he’s gotten the hang of spitting, the essential oil mixture would be fine.
Has this recipe/dilution ratio been documented to kill pathogenic microbes on a scope slide prep? Thank you!
I read that turmeric is a good antimicrobial antiseptic for gingivitis. I was prescribed chlorhexidine but prefer an all natural route. What would the oil to water ratio be if I use turmeric oil and not powder?
Use 10 mg of turmeric extract dissolved in 100ml, or a little less than a ½ cup of water. A drop or two of peppermint oil can be added for flavoring; alternatively, you can just stir a little turmeric powder into warm water. Either will result in an outstanding mouthwash for treating inflamed gums and even relieving a toothache.
great article! Im glad to see more people talking about essential oils and oral health. we have great success using essential oils to reduce dental anxiety, improve office mood and as an antibacterial/ anti-biofilm medicaments.
Your comment was very interesting. Could you tell me how you use essential oils to reduce dental anxiety? I haven’t been to the dentist in 4 years (traumatic incident w/pain). I know I have 3 teeth that are broken down to the gum line, Money is another problem, though–why I haven’t been to a dentist.
How would I find a dentist who uses essential oils to relieve dental anxiety?
Do i have to use all the Essential Oils you listed? Thanks for the info. i will give it a try.
No, you can really use just one and still receive benefits.
I was trying to figure out what essential oil would be helpful in removing plaque. Would melaleuca be helpful or something else. Thanks!!
Yes, that is a great choice! Other options would include cinnamon, clove, peppermint, spearmint and myrrh.
I have most these oils already except lemon(shocked) I do have orange and grapefruit. Do you think they would work?
You can just leave the lemon out. Any combination of the other oils would be helpful.
My husband has developed dramatic receding gums over the years. Because of his poor health, age, etc., he cannot tolerate gum replacement procedures. This all developed since he was rendered quadriplegic 25 years ago. Because of this condition, he finds it difficult to have his teeth brushed. Also, he has EXTREME dry mouth, for which he gets slight temporary relief from Biotene products. What can you suggest as a gentle way to cleanse his teeth and mouth (without using a brush)?
He could certainly try some of the recipes as mouthwashes, but really, for any dental conditions we always recommend you consult with your dentist first. Maybe using something like a water pik vs a brush would be gentler but still be helpful for thorough cleansing.
My teeth and gums have always been healthy. I made a toothpaste using baking soda, sea salt, water and a couple drops of peppermint essential oil. My gums are bleeding when I use it. Suggestions?
Is it still happening after using it for a few days?
jut finished having my teeth deep cleaned for gum disease and my dentist said using a combination of peppermint, spearmint and clove oils would be great for a final brush to keep the teeth clean and clear of plaque and bacteria. She also said to only use a soft brush only.
Cool! I’d would really like to try these Essential Oils, I feel like it will help me obtain healthy teeth!
Has anyone had any success treating lichen planis with essential oils?
If you have what oils did you use?
Hi, I’m a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist – I took an intensive 15 month course, completed a research study and 33 individual essential oil case studies, and finally, an exam. The blend you are suggesting/using for a mouth wash/rinse is too strong. It could burn the gums, tongue and throat (if it were accidentally swallowed). 15 drops of essential oil (any type/combination) to a cup of water is more than sufficient for a mouth wash. The constituents (terpenes) in clove, peppermint, spearmint and cinnamon are extremely irritating to the skin. It is always best to speak to a trained aromatherapist. Essential oils are strong and not be used lightly – 1 drop is equivalent to 100 cups of tea from the same plant. Please use caution and respect when using essential oils.
Yes, June, you’re right! Thank you for pointing that out and we’ve updated the recipe. We definitely agree that using essential oils respectfully and with care is very important.
2 questions: How do you know if an essential oil is food grade?
In your post you said 15 drops/any combination, did that include the carrier oil?
Is the amount of water increased, too?
I wouldn’t use straight clove oil especially if you’re having bleeding gums. I’d suggest trying again to see a dentist; in the meantime continuing to rinse with warm salt water or one of the recipes in this post might be helpful. I’d suggest using a soft toothbrush and minimizing acidic/irritating foods and drinks as well as not smoking.
The shelf life will be whatever the shelf life of your aloe juice is….so, if you can store your aloe juice for a year this blend would also last a year. I think you could definitely take it with you for a 3 week trip.
I have bought some Eucalyptus Oil to help battle a receding gum I have on one of my teeth. I use it as a mouthwash. I diluted it and everything, but I find that it gives me horrible dry mouth which is uncomfortable and lasts a long time. I use it because I heard it is really the best oil for battling and healing receding gums. Is there any other oils that can help heal a receding gum? And do most essential oils produce drymouth, and if not what could be a better option in my case?
I wouldn’t use it if it’s causing you any problems. Have you tried tea tree? Or any of the other oils/combinations listed in the blog post? I think I’d probably start with a very diluted tea tree (maybe 5%) in a carrier oil or even just add one drop to your toothbrush after brushing normally and do a final rinse. Let us know what ends up working for you.
What can a person do to repair a cracked tooth by using oils? I have no pain the crack was found when they cleaned my teeth.
Tea tree is the curemail all, I’d try using some kind of blend with it. I know from experience that if it starts hurting you, you can use vanilla extract, if you apply it directly to the area that hurts it relieves mild tooth pain. I made a mouthwash using tea tree oil for more severe episodes of pain in a broken tooth that worked pretty well. But you CANNOT swallow it, it’s not meant to be ingested.
Cure all* Please excuse my autocorrect.
If I wanted to make and keep this in a small 5-15ml bottle, with out water, like bodyfooddental does, would I add a carrier? how many drops per 5? 15ml? bottles?
Yes, you can use a carrier oil instead of water. I’d keep the proportions the same as the recipes using water. It’s hard to figure out how to make such a tiny amount, so I think I’d cut the original recipe in half, and then pour it into smaller, 15 or 5ml size bottles as you need them (and you can keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator). Hope that helps!
Hi! Is eucalyptus oil good for gums? How often should I use it?
You mentioned that eucalyptus is very good for plaque. Is there any reason that you don’t use it in the mixture you recommend. I would really like to add it in. Would a few drops added work.
Hi Wendy, yes a drop of two of eucalyptus would be a good addition, and then you can test out how well it works for you.
I used a couple of drops of sage oil and olive oil with a q tip at the base of my teeth and gums. My teeth feel incredibly smooth and it feels like it eliminated some if not all the plaque. Any one else experience that?
Yes, just make sure you’re diluting them well — you can use some of the recipes in the blog post for guidance.
AMAZING!!! I experimented with a drop of peppermint and I love it. My feels cleans and fresh. I simply added to the toothpaste on my toothbrush. One of my front two teeth is discolored. I have only used the peppermint twice and can already see a difference.
Great Post! Thank you for sharing a awesome stuff!
Thanks for sharing such kind of amazing information.
Wow great, now I can make my own toothpaste and mouthwash. Thank you for sharing this precious thought.