Oral care5 min
Very Dilute Alum Mouth Rinse
A tiny crystal of alum is dissolved in a full glass of water, used as a rinse, and spat out. Stop if the mouth stings.
A tiny alum crystal in a full glass of water
Fitkari, or alum, is sometimes kept in the kitchen for a very weak mouth rinse. The amount is a tiny crystal in a full glass of water, not a pinch piled into a sip. The rinse is swished and spat out. It is an old household habit, not a treatment for gums, ulcers, or throat pain.
If the water tastes sharp or the mouth stings, spit it out and stop. Do not swallow it, and do not use it every day as a matter of course. A sore that lasts, bleeding gums, or trouble swallowing needs a dentist or a doctor, not a stronger crystal.
Ingredients
- A tiny crystal of alum (fitkari)
- 1 full glass of drinking water
- A clean tumbler for the rinse
How to prepare
- Drop only a tiny alum crystal into a full glass of drinking water and stir until it dissolves.
- If any grit remains, let it settle and use the clear water, or strain it.
How to use
- Take a sip, rinse the mouth, and spit it out. Do not swallow.
- Once in a day, for a short spell, is plenty.
- Stop at once if it stings, tastes harsh, or leaves the mouth dry and tight.
Helpful habits
- The glass should be full. A small cup with the same crystal is too strong.
- Throw away leftover rinse the same day. Do not store it.
Precautions
- Spit the rinse out. Do not swallow alum water.
- Stop if it stings. This is not a treatment for mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, or a sore throat.
- Do not give it to small children. A lasting sore or bleed needs a dentist or a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swallow the alum rinse?
- No. Rinse and spit it out. Alum water is not a drink.
How much alum goes in the glass?
- Only a tiny crystal in a full glass of water. A bigger piece makes it too strong.
What if the rinse stings?
- Spit it out and stop. Do not try a stronger mix.
