No Fluo is a tea tree mouthwash made with three other essential oils, peppermint, spearmint and lemon, in a base of spring water. It contains no fluoride and no alcohol. Tea tree gives it a sharp, herbal edge, while the mint and lemon oils keep it tasting fresh.
Why tea tree?
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of an Australian plant and has long been used in personal care products. You will find it in a number of mouthwashes and toothpastes sold in the UK, including some fluoride free toothpastes. People like it for its clean, medicinal taste and because it pairs well with mint.
To be clear about the evidence, the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says low strength tea tree mouthrinses have been promoted for gum problems, plaque and bad breath, but that how well they work is uncertain. We use tea tree for its taste and feel, and we do not claim it treats any condition.
Tea tree oil safety
Tea tree oil must never be swallowed. Swallowing it has caused confusion, unsteadiness, an inability to walk and even coma, and US poison centres handled more than 2,200 cases of exposure to tea tree oil in 2022. Most worrying are cases involving young children who drank it. That is why every tea tree mouthwash, including No Fluo, should be rinsed and spat out, and kept well out of reach of children.
Safety: do not swallow. No Fluo contains tea tree oil, which is harmful if swallowed. Rinse and spit it out, and keep the bottle out of reach of children.
The other essential oils in No Fluo
- Peppermint oil gives a cool, fresh taste. It is considered safe at the amounts usually used in products, although it should not be used near the faces of babies and young children.
- Spearmint oil gives a softer, sweeter mint taste than peppermint.
- Lemon oil adds a bright, citrus note that balances the tea tree.
How does it compare with other essential oil mouthwashes?
Most research on essential oil mouthwashes has looked at the formula used in Listerine, which is based on thymol, eucalyptol, menthol and methyl salicylate. Those studies found less plaque and gum inflammation compared with a dummy rinse, but almost all were industry funded, and the results cannot simply be applied to a different blend of oils such as No Fluo. Other tea tree mouthwashes on sale in the UK include Dr Organic Tea Tree and Aloe Dent, which we compare in our guide to alcohol free mouthwash.
How to use it
Use No Fluo at a different time from brushing your teeth, for example after lunch, swish it around your mouth and then spit it out. Do not swallow it, and do not give it to young children.
Frequently asked questions
Is tea tree mouthwash safe?
Yes, when it is used as directed and spat out. Tea tree oil is harmful if swallowed, so never swallow it and keep it away from children.
Can you swallow tea tree mouthwash?
No. Tea tree oil can cause serious symptoms if swallowed. Always rinse and spit.
Does tea tree mouthwash help bad breath?
Tea tree mouthrinses have been promoted for bad breath, but the evidence is uncertain, so we do not claim it. The NHS suggests trying an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste, cleaning your tongue and cleaning between your teeth.
Does No Fluo contain fluoride or alcohol?
No. No Fluo contains neither.