Make a baking soda or salt water rinse to reduce oral bacteria

Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda (or half a teaspoon of salt) in a cup of warm water and use it as a mouth rinse after meals. Swish for 30 seconds, then spit. This simple, inexpensive rinse helps neutralize acids and reduce bacterial load in the mouth.

Why It Works

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) raises the pH of saliva, creating an alkaline environment that inhibits the growth of acid-producing and odor-causing bacteria. Salt water has mild antiseptic properties that reduce inflammation and help clear bacteria from gum tissue. Both ingredients are widely available and have a long history of use in oral care.

Tips

• Use this rinse 1-2 times daily, especially after meals with strong flavors
• Do not swallow the rinse -- spit it out after swishing
• Baking soda rinses can also soothe minor mouth sores and irritated gums
• This is a supplement to brushing and flossing, not a replacement for them
• Some commercial toothpastes include baking soda as an active ingredient for the same pH-balancing benefit
• If you have high blood pressure or are on a sodium-restricted diet, use the baking soda option rather than salt