Oral care10 min
Clove and Cinnamon Mouth Rinse for Fresh Breath
A homemade rinse of cloves and a cinnamon stick simmered in water, cooled and used after meals for fresher breath.
Clove in everyday Indian homes
Laung (clove) is strongly aromatic and slightly numbing, which is why it has a long history in toothache and throat remedies.
Clove and cinnamon both contain aromatic compounds with antibacterial activity in lab studies, and they are traditional mouth fresheners in India. A homemade rinse is alcohol-free and gentle, but it does not replace brushing and flossing.
Ingredients
- 4 cloves
- A small cinnamon stick
- 1½ cups water
How to prepare
- Simmer cloves and cinnamon for five minutes; cool and strain into a clean bottle.
How to use
- Swish a few sips around the mouth for 30 seconds after meals and spit out.
- Make fresh every two days and keep in the fridge.
Helpful habits
- Good cloves are oily and release oil when pressed with a nail.
Precautions
- Stop if your gums or mouth feel irritated. Persistent bad breath needs a dental check.
- Never put undiluted clove oil on gums or skin; it can burn.
- Keep clove oil away from children.
- Keep brushing twice a day; see a dentist for pain, swelling or an ulcer lasting over two weeks.
- Traditional use; scientific evidence is limited. Do not stop prescribed medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swallow it?
- Spit it out; it is meant as a rinse.
Does it whiten teeth?
- No; it only freshens the mouth.
Can clove fix a toothache?
- It may ease pain briefly; a toothache needs a dentist.
