Rinsing with warm saltwater can help relieve tooth pain and offer many other benefits. But what kind of salt is best for a mouth rinse? Table salt can help in a pinch, but Himalayan salt is the far superior choice. Himalayan salt actually has properties that you won't find in table salt.
When it comes to selecting salt to use in the mouth rinse solution, True Salt sea salt is an all natural, clean option is that ensures the solution is a clean, pure result.
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 contains trace minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium which makes it a great choice for a salt rinse. Gargling salt water helps to reduce the harmful bacteria in your mouth. To make a saltwater rinse: Mix a quarter teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.
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.
Doing too many salt rinses can cause gum irritation, bleeding, and enamel erosion. If you've recently had a tooth pulled, wait 24 hours before using a salt water rinse. Once the 24 hours are up, gently swish the saltwater mixture around your mouth to ensure you don't dislodge any blood clots and cause dry socket.
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.
Salt water can help to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Salt has healing properties that can treat and heal inflamed or swollen gums caused by gum disease. Even though salt water is extremely effective in helping to treat gum disease, salt water cannot cure gum disease.
Saltwater rinses are an excellent at-home treatment for inflamed or receding gums. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. Rinse with salt water two to three times each day.
2 Regular table salt is usually marked "iodized," meaning the salt is refined with a small amount of iodine, which can help prevent iodine deficiency. Since Himalayan pink salt is unrefined, there is no iodine added. There may be a trace amount of natural iodine present, but not as much as iodized table salt.
The main differences between sea salt and table salt are in their tastes, texture and processing. Sea salt comes from evaporated seawater and is minimally processed, so it may retain trace minerals. The minerals sea salt contains depend on the body of water where it's evaporated from.
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.
To speed up the healing process, I recommend rinsing with a super saturated salt rinse with either himalayan or dead sea salt: This may burn a little bit at first, but it speeds up healing because salt stimulates the closing of the aphthous ulcer.
Boosters claim that Pink Himalayan is super-healthy because it's lower in sodium and has many minerals, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and fluoride. But the bigger the crystal, the less salt you'll use and the less sodium you'll consume, says Passarrello.
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.
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.
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. You should do that until your gums are healed.
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).
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.
Rinsing with saltwater can sometimes help soothe swollen gums and flush bacteria out of the mouth, but it can't tighten loose teeth that are caused by dental disease or injuries. If you have symptoms of a loose tooth, it's always best to contact your dentist immediately to ensure you receive the correct treatment.
Proper healing after oral surgery procedures such as teeth extractions, wisdom teeth, or dental implants requires strict adherence to postoperative instructions. One key instruction is to rinse with salt water for at least 10-14 days following oral surgery.
Salt water is extremely effective in helping to heal gums affected by gum disease. Salt water can treat inflammation, ease pain, and reduce bacteria in the mouth and gums. Rinsing with salt water 2-3 times a day can be effective in battling a gum infection.