A salt water (saline) rinse can benefit your oral health by cleansing your mouth, warding off infection, and even relieving toothache pain. You can make a salt water rinse at home by mixing a teaspoon of table salt with 8 ounces of lukewarm water.
If you are looking for a natural way to promote your oral hygiene, look to the sea. Sea salt has proven to promote oral health, and a sea salt mouthwash can help you fight bad breath germs while leaving a fresh, clean feeling.
Himalayan salt rinses have been effective in relieving symptoms of upper respiratory issues, as well.
We recommend mixing about a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water. Rinsing with salt water does not mean swallowing it. Instead, take the salt water in the mouth and move it around for 15 to 30 seconds. When done rinsing, spit out the salt water.
Rinsing the mouth with a NaCl solution is an old remedy believed to promote healthy gums and encourage recovery from mouth ulcers. According to an article published by the PLOS ONE Journal, dentists may recommend adding a salt-based mouthrinse to your dental regimen to maintain good oral health.
Research proves a saltwater rinse containing 0.9 percent to 1.8 percent sodium chloride helps heal the gums. In addition, disinfectant properties are present in salt, helping kill harmful bacteria in the mouth while easing swelling and pain in the infected gums.
Epsom salt in warm water soothes the swollen gums and alleviates the inflammation and pain. It is also an antibacterial agent that can treat the infection causing the problem.
Saltwater rinse
This easy and affordable solution can provide effective temporary relief of your abscessed tooth. It can also encourage wound healing and healthy gums. Add 1/2 teaspoon of regular table salt to 1/2 cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with the salt water.
Rinsing with salt water 2-3 times a day can be effective in battling a gum infection. Be careful to not rinse with salt water too often, as this can cause the salt to affect your tooth enamel. Other homemade mouthwash combinations can also be effective, such as lemongrass and oil, aloe vera, and tea tree oil.
How Long Should I Rinse with Salt Water for Swollen Gums? You should rinse with salt water between 15-30 seconds, and you're not supposed to swallow it. When you're done, spit the water out and repeat this process at least three times a day.
Since bacteria thrive in acidic environments and salt removes water from bacteria via osmosis, swishing with salt water can stop bacterial growth and reduce plaque and inflammation. This reduction in bacteria will reduce your likelihood of getting sick or developing a sore throat, bad breath, cavities, or gum disease.
Mouthwash vs Saltwater
It ultimately boils down to what you need to use an oral rinsing solution for. Saltwater rinse is often recommended for soothing oral pain as mentioned above and it is excellent at killing bacteria because the said bacteria cannot live in salt (hence why it can be used for meat preservation).
Saltwater rinse
A saltwater rinse will kill off some of the bacteria in your mouth and irrigate your mouth. It can rinse some of the debris out of your mouth and if you have an abscess it can help break up the pus surrounding the tooth. You can use regular table salt and warm tap water to make a basic saltwater rinse.
If you want to gargle your mouth with salt water, you can do so before or after brushing your teeth.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or putting gel containing an antibiotic into gum pockets. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to get of bacteria that cause infections.
Salt Water Rinse
One of the most straightforward and accessible hacks on our list, salt water not only targets the origin of pain but also acts as an antibiotic for gum infection. As a result, it helps reduce the pain and spread of disease.
Salt is a natural disinfectant that helps with gum disease in a few ways: It removes loose debris and cleans the teeth and gums. Reduces inflammation and swelling and soothes the gums.
Salt water rinses have a long history of benefiting oral health. Salt promotes healing and reduces pain, which is why dentists often recommend salt water rinses for patients suffering from sore gums, oral surgery, or other oral health problems.
After brushing and flossing, you can use a salt rinse three to four times a week. But don't use a salt rinse more often than this - too much sodium could have negative effects on your tooth enamel, like eventual erosion⁴.
One of the primary symptoms is that gums will be red and swollen. They will also be tender to the touch. While gingivitis may result in some minor swelling or darkening of the color of the gums, an infection will result in even more swelling and deeper redness. Bleeding gums is another sign of infection.