Gargling with salt water is a home remedy that has existed for generations, and the use of salt in medical treatment traces back to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Furthermore, a saltwater gargle is cheap and easy to make.
How Does Gargling with Salt Water Reduce Bacteria?
According to Medical News Today, the saltwater solution can bring bacteria in the throat, gums and teeth to the surface. It may kill some of it, and when you spit out the salt water, it also washes away the bacteria.
What Are the Benefits?
Gargling with salt water on a regular basis helps to remove bacteria from the gums, which can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup. Tartar and plaque buildup cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Gargling can also help to soothe sore throats and prevent infections by helping keep the mouth clean. It can help canker sores heal and can relieve the symptoms of allergies that cause nasal passages and throats to swell. There is also research that indicates gargling with salt water may help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory infections and help prevent them.
How to Make a Saltwater Gargling Solution
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends dissolving a half of a teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. The American Cancer Society (ACS) also has a recipe, which calls for mixing a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of baking soda and a quart of water.
The Best Way to Gargle
You should fill your mouth with as much of the solution as you can without making it feel uncomfortable. Swish the solution around the back of your throat and around your mouth, teeth and gums. Try to do this for as long as you can, and then spit out the solution. You don’t have to worry if you swallow the solution, but it’s better to spit it out. Do this gargle a once or twice a day.
Dentists often recommend a saltwater solution after dental procedures, but also caution you to be gentle so you don’t reopen any scabs that are forming.
Do You Have Questions or Concerns About Dental Care?
At Hutto Hippo Family Dental, we are glad to answer any questions you may have explain how treatment works.
