Many of us probably rinse our mouths out with salt water at times because we’ve been told to by a caretaker in our youth. You might not even stop to think of why. But there’s real science behind this method of cleansing our palettes.
What It’s Good For
Salt water rinses are one of the oldest known antiseptic treatments, dating back thousands of years. It’s an easy-to-make, easy-to-use rinse that helps slow the spread of germs & prevent infection.
Often, it’s recommended when an open sore or treatment area is present, such as a canker sore or stitches from recently removed wisdom teeth. It is also recommended by some healthcare professionals as part of regular hygiene in order to promote healthy gums.
Salt water reduces the plaque that can buildup at the gum line, which is the result of bacteria that come into contact with sugars. As the water washes out your mouth & helps it return to a normal pH, the sodium chloride creates an environment where harmful bacteria cannot survive. The mixture also reduces inflammation, helping to speed the healing process where a sore or laceration may exist.
Make It
Ideally, salt water should be a mixture of half a teaspoon of salt for one cup of warm water. Be sure the water is warm to help dissolve the salt. Mix & rinse, it’s that simple.
You can rinse with as much salt water as is needed, though try not to drink it. While drinking salt water isn’t the end of the world in cases like this, it’s still not good for hydration as most people get enough salt in their diets already.
Added Benefits
These days there are multiple solutions for reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth. Salt water rinses can be just as effective as these newer remedies while its simplicity adds extra incentive to use.
First, it’s inexpensive. Regular table salt mixed with water is also easy to make. Beyond that, it doesn’t have possible allergens & its long history of use means there are no unchartered side effects from regular use.
To learn more about how salt water rinses may help you specifically, talk to your dentist. They can provide great information as they develop a plan for your optimal oral health.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667147622000231
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7793524/