Thrive in 12: Week 10 (Jan - Mar 2026) — Gut Health & Metabolic Function (Q&A Follow-Up)

Hello ladies,

We had such a rich session today on gut health and metabolic function — thank you for the thoughtful questions. I’m answering a couple here that we didn’t have time to cover live.

🦷 Commercial mouthwash - if it isn't optimal for the mouth microbiome, should we avoid it altogether?

Great question — and an important one.

Please remember that if you have been prescribed it by your GP/NP/clinican or Dentist - we follow their medical advice!

For everyone else, I recommend being very mindful of the type of mouthwash we use- since it's something we "take into our bodies" regularly, if we choose to use one.

As we discussed, the mouth is part of the gut.
Your oral microbiome plays a key role in digestion, nitric oxide production, and overall metabolic health.

Many conventional mouthwashes are marketed as “kills 99% of germs” — but that includes beneficial bacteria, not just harmful ones.

So over time, daily use can:

• Disrupt the oral microbiome

• Contribute to dry mouth and irritation

• Potentially impacts gut and metabolic health

✔️ So what should we do?

You don’t need to eliminate it completely — but:

👉 Best practice: limit commercial mouthwash to occasional use only

For daily use, opt for a more supportive approach.

✅ What to look for in a better option:

Choose a mouthwash that is:

• Alcohol-free

• Free of chlorine compounds

• Free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

• Free of artificial sweeteners and dyes

• Gentle and microbiome-friendly

Xylitol-based or natural mouthwashes are a good option.

⚠️ Ingredients to be mindful of:

• Alcohol → dries and irritates oral tissues

• SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) → can trigger canker sores

• Chlorhexidine → can stain teeth with regular use

• Parabens

• Artificial sweeteners / dyes

• Strong essential oils → can be irritating for some

Also be mindful of sodium fluoride, depending on your overall exposure and preference.

🧂 Simple DIY Mouth Rinse (Optional)

If you prefer a very simple approach, you can make your own:

• 1 cup water

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp baking soda

• Optional: a small amount of xylitol (adds sweetness and lightly disinfects.)

Mix and use as a gentle rinse.

👉 No need to add essential oils —they can irritate the mouth.

Simpler is better here.

🔁 Back to Foundations

Just like with gut health overall:

We don’t try to “kill everything.”
We aim to support balance.

Daily habits that matter most:

• Hydration

• Whole-food nutrition

• Fiber intake

• Protein intake

• Stress management

Mouth care is part of that bigger picture.

Keep the questions coming — this is how you build real, sustainable health.

You got this!

Coach Sasha 💛