Did the same thing with a “herbal mouth rinse” I tried to make for my kid—totally backfired. The smell was like old socks and it stung like crazy. Tried diluting, even added honey, but nope. Sometimes you just gotta admit defeat and toss it. Not worth the drama (or the complaints from my seven-year-old). If it’s funky, I say trust your nose and move on.
Yeah, I totally get that—sometimes these home remedies just aren’t worth the hassle. I tried making a clove oil rinse once because my gums were super sore from my braces. Thought I was being clever, but it ended up tasting like spicy wood chips and burned way more than I expected. Did you notice if the smell got worse after sitting overnight? I feel like some of these herbal things just get funkier with time, no matter what you add.
Do you think there’s any way to actually “fix” an over-strong extract, or is it just a lost cause? I’ve tried diluting stuff before, but it never really takes the edge off. Plus, with all the metal in my mouth, I get paranoid about weird reactions or stains. Anyone else ever have something stain their brackets or elastics from homemade rinses? I’m starting to think sticking with store-bought is just easier, even if it’s boring.
Do you think there’s any way to actually “fix” an over-strong extract, or is it just a lost cause? I’ve tried diluting stuff before, but it never really takes the edge off. Plus, with all the metal in my mouth, I get paranoid about weird reactions or stains.
You’re not alone with the paranoia about stains and reactions—totally valid. I’ve had elastics go weird colors from turmeric “miracle pastes” I found online, and it took weeks to fade. Not a good look with braces.
About fixing an over-strong extract, honestly, I haven’t found a real solution either. Diluting sometimes helps a little, but it’s like trying to water down coffee that’s already burned—just ends up tasting bad in a different way. The smell thing gets me too. Anything herbal seems to get funkier overnight, especially if there’s any moisture left. Clove oil is notorious for that; I made the mistake of letting a batch sit and the next day my whole bathroom smelled like some kind of old apothecary.
I do get tempted by the idea of homemade stuff because it feels more “natural,” but after a few disasters, I’m back to the boring store-bought options too. At least they’re tested for all that staining and compatibility with braces. Sometimes “boring” is just safer, especially when you’ve got a mouth full of metal and you’re trying to avoid extra trips to the orthodontist.
Kind of wish there was a middle ground—like, something gentle and natural but still tested for braces. Until then, I’m with you: sticking to the basics, even if it means my oral care routine isn’t Pinterest-worthy.
Sometimes “boring” is just safer, especially when you’ve got a mouth full of metal and you’re trying to avoid extra trips to the orthodontist.
I get why you say that, but honestly, I still get nervous about even the store-bought stuff. Like, what if it reacts weird with my braces or makes my gums burn? I’ve had mouthwash sting way more than I expected. I kind of wish there was a way to trust homemade things more. Diluting feels risky, but sometimes the “safe” options freak me out too. Maybe I’m just overthinking...
I totally get the worry about both homemade and store stuff. One time I tried making a clove rinse because my gums were sore, but I made it way too strong—my mouth felt like it was on fire. Ended up diluting it a ton, but honestly, even then I wasn’t sure if it was safe. Sometimes even the “gentle” products can be a surprise with braces. It’s tough to know what’ll actually be soothing and what’ll just make things worse...
