A saltwater rinses help fight off gingivitis², halitosis, or bad breath disease, and even a sore throat³. Plus, this simple (and cost-effective) at-home remedy can even promote quicker healing in your mouth after surgery or a small trauma like a cut.
Rinsing regularly with warm salt water balances the pH—the acidity level—of your mouth. Bad bacteria, unsurprisingly, don't like a healthy pH balance so rinsing with warm salt water can, um, flush them out. A balanced pH level isn't just useful in keeping bad bacteria to a minimum.
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. However, you're not supposed to rinse more than a few times a day.
This is because salt water is known for its natural healing properties. The at-home remedy can also be used to ease discomfort from mouth sores while aiding the recovery process. Salt water speeds wound healing by reducing inflammation and bacteria in the mouth.
Salt water may kill some, but does not kill all, mouth and throat bacteria. However, solutions of salt can help bring bacteria to the surface of the gums, teeth, and throat. Once the bacteria is brought to the surface, some of it washes away when a person spits the salt water out.
Saltwater can't whiten your teeth or improve your gum health like hydrogen peroxide can, but at least your teeth won't fall out while you wait for search and rescue.
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).
When done rinsing, spit out the salt water. Repeat the rinsing 2 to 3 times a day. Overuse of rinsing with salt water can damage the enamel and lead to more problems.
Stir the salt around with a spoon or utensil so it dissolves. Take a sip of the warm salt water and swish it around in your mouth gently. Be careful not to rinse too vigorously, as you may initiate bleeding. After you are done rinsing, spit out the solution.
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.
Healthy gums are pink (or light brown if you are darker-skinned), firm, and do not bleed when you brush or floss. The gums fit snugly around the teeth on all sides to help protect the underlying bone.
Healing Properties of Saltwater
Salt promotes healing. It is usually recommended after a minor dental procedure to use a saltwater rinse. This is because it contains the same salts and minerals in our bodies, which means it does not irritate mucous membranes.
Rinse your mouth with tap or drinking water after your salt water gargle. Repeat the entire process two to three times a day, as needed. Remember not to swallow the salt-water.
Sodium may be directly damage the teeth, leading to cavities, but a sodium-rich diet can actually weaken the teeth. Like the bones, your teeth depend on calcium for strength and structure. A diet high in sodium has been found to reduce the level of calcium in the body.
Gargling with salt water has been shown to ease pain and inflammation from a sore throat. The home remedy may also reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth, lowering the risk of cavities and gingivitis. Experts suggest a simple solution — with ½ tsp of salt and 8 oz of warm water — for salt water gargles.
3. Tilt your head back and gargle with the salt water for 10-15 seconds, before spitting it out into a sink. 4. Repeat the gargle process once more to ensure you have washed away as much mucus as possible.
To make a salt water solution, you'll need just two things: salt and warm water. It's important that the water is warm, as this helps the salt dissolve. The Mayo Clinic recommends adding 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of table salt to 8 ounces of warm water. Gargling with salt water is a simple home remedy.
Unless you've had oral surgery, it's generally recommended to use a salt water rinse after brushing and flossing your teeth. This is because brushing your teeth helps remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and along the gums, while the salt water rinse helps reduce inflammation in your gums and other soft tissues.
Oral health professionals often recommend patients use saltwater when a wound or infection is present in the mouth. Saltwater can even destroy bacteria that leads to the formation of cavities. Swish with salt water as soon as you find out you have a cavity and it just might slow its expansion.
Salt acts as a surface abrasive and can definitely make teeth look whiter, but it can really damage your tooth enamel, and unfortunately once your enamel is damaged, it's damaged for life. You may have even heard of some people using charcoal to whiten their teeth.
Saltwater rinses help kill bacteria, ensure healthy gums, and boost recovery from mouth ulcers. It also helps prevent plaque buildup that creates acids that attack your tooth enamel.
There are a number of ways that you can whiten your teeth if they are or have already yellowed; these are a mix of over-the-counter toothpastes, home whitening products or, in some cases, mechanical plaque removal by a dentist or hygienist.