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Are you looking for a quick, simple, and safe remedy to enhance your oral health?
If so, then a warm salt water rinse is the one for you. They are natural, come with no side effects, and have numerous health benefits associated with them—the anti-bacterial properties of salt help relieve allergies and infections and prevent them from worsening further.
Also, the process of doing a warm salt water rinse is very easy and only requires 2 ingredients, namely salt, and water. The best part is that they are easily available, affordable, and completely safe for people of all age groups.
Medicinal Properties of Salt
The medicinal use of salt traces its origin back to 1600 B.C. Salt even made its way to ancient Egyptian medicine, where salt was used as a major ingredient for treating infections.
Ancient medical scripts have also recorded the use of salt for its health benefits. They believe that the anti-bacterial properties of salt can disinfect wounds and dry them out.
The use of salt was also recorded in ancient Greek medicine, where they used a mixture of salt and honey to treat infectious cuts and wounds. They were either applied as an ointment or given orally.
10 Warm Salt Water Rinse Benefits
Here is a list of some amazing benefits of doing warm salt water rinses every day:
1. Reduces Bacteria in Your Mouth
Bacteria spores in our mouth can be harmful as they can sometimes lead to a sore throat or other sicknesses. Warm salt water rinses, to a great extent, prevent the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
These saltwater rinses increase the pH balance in our mouth and create an ‘alkaline climate’ in which the bacteria cannot thrive. Bacteria mostly thrive in an acidic environment and are weakened in an environment that is pH balanced.
A 2017 research study found that saltwater rinses bring down the dental plaque and oral microbial count in our mouth when accompanied by routine plaque control.
2. Eliminates Bad Breath
Everyone has been a victim of bad breath at some point in their lives. Bad breath often occurs due to poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, smoking, and many other factors.
But the problem of bad breath is only temporary and can be cured by employing certain measures.
Mouthwashes are the go-to option to get rid of bad breath. However, most of the mouthwashes and mouth fresheners available in the market contain many chemicals and are priced unreasonably.
Warm salt water rinse, on the other hand, is cost-effective and is considered a natural alternative for fresh breath.
After eating or consuming coffee, do a quick warm salt water rinse and enjoy fresh breath without the intense sting of market mouthwashes.
3. Reduces Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections like flu, common cold, and sinus infections are very common nowadays. Gargling with warm salt water can ease the symptoms and even help to prevent respiratory infections to a great extent.
A 2013 research study found participants who gargled with warm salt water had lesser infections than others who did not.
4. Provides Relief from Bleeding Gums
Bleeding and swollen gums are another sign of poor dental hygiene. It can be a huge problem if not taken care of properly and can even affect our everyday life. Warm salt water rinses provide relief from gum problems caused by bacteria.
Rinsing our mouth with salt water regularly fights bacteria, reduces irritation, and positively impacts our oral health. Swishing and rinsing our mouths every day also keeps cavities at bay.
5. Clears Congestion
Another major benefit of doing a warm salt water rinse includes clearing the respiratory tract. It helps remove any congestion caused by mucus in the respiratory tract and nasal area.
The warm salt water reduces inflammation and eases throat pain. In addition to that, it washes out the virus and bacteria lodged, which can lead to Congestion if left unattended.
6. Provides Relief from Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a type of condition that occurs when our tonsils get affected by bacterial and viral infections.
Tonsillitis can result in:
- Swollen and inflamed tonsils
- Pain while swallowing food
- Sore throat
- Impaired voice
- chills
A warm salt water rinse will provide relief from the pain and ease away these symptoms.
Tonsillitis affects all people alike, including children, teens, and adults, but most often, they will fully recover in fourteen days.
Only in rare and severe cases, a tonsillectomy is performed where the tonsils are surgically removed. This method is only opted for when there is a persistent case of tonsillitis.
7. Improves Oral Health
Doing warm salt water rinse daily results in improved dental health. The saltwater can wash out the bacteria and water, thereby protecting the gums from any problems.
Warm salt water rinses effectively prevent gum problems like gingivitis, cavities, periodontitis1, and many such problems.
A 2010 research study found that gargling with salt water regularly lessens the bacteria count present in our saliva.
8. Provides Relief From Canker Sores
Sore throats and canker throats are very much alike. They can cause pain and make it very hard to talk and eat.
But unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious. The cause of canker sores is unknown, affecting all people, including teens, women, and men.
Most people get canker sores at some point in their lives, and some have them regularly. A warm salt water rinse can ease the pain caused by canker sores by lessening the irritation and inflammation caused by these sores.
9. Aids In Healing
Warm salt water rinse aids in the healing process after dental procedures. This is because saltwater increases the extracellular matrix components, which majorly serves to repair wound activity.
It also does not cause any irritation or burn to the soft tissues in our mouth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that people do a gentle warm salt water rinse after a dental procedure to keep the extraction site clean and prevent infection.
A 2015 research study found that warm salt water rinses can prevent dry sockets due to tooth extractions.
10. Cures Allergies
Sore throat-related allergies are very much different from the ones caused by bacteria and viruses. They are most often caused due to pollen, pet dander, pollution, and many other factors.
Doing warm salt water rinses is effective in putting a stop to these allergy symptoms.
Even though warm salt water rinses cannot prevent allergies, they can relieve the discomfort in our throat caused by these allergies. Most allergies 2do not require medications and will be gone when we employ appropriate home remedies.
Most often, a sore throat will go away in a few days. However, if it doesn’t go away in a few days, it is best to visit a doctor to understand the allergy and come up with an appropriate solution to manage them.
How to Do a Warm Salt Water Mouth Rinse?
To do a warm salt water rinse, make sure you follow these steps:
- Use 1 cup of warm water, as warm water relieves sore throats more effectively than cold water. Also, the salt dissolves in warm water more quickly compared to the latter.
- Add ½ teaspoon of salt to the cup of warm water. Other ingredients like honey and garlic can be added for their anti-bacterial and soothing properties.
- Stir it well, swish the rinse all over your mouth for about 10 to 15 seconds, and then spit it out. Repeat the same until you finish the whole cup.
Note: It is important not to swallow salt water, as salt can dehydrate our body and is also not very healthy to consume.
Risks and Considerations
A warm salt water rinse does not have side effects and is considered safe for all children. however, the following points should be considered:
- People who have difficulty with gargling and rinsing may stay away from this.
- There are instances where young children may not be able to gargle properly, and, in such cases, a pediatrician may be able to offer advice on the same.
- Also, people who do not like salt water can add lime or honey for added flavor.
In the End
Warm salt water rinses help to keep a person’s mouth clean and free from bacteria. They also come with numerous health benefits like easing pain caused by sore throats, relieving the discomfort of mouth sores, and so much more.
A person can do warm salt water rinses any number of times a day as there are no side effects attached to it. Moreover, they are cost-effective, quick, and the best alternative for market mouthwashes.
However, it is important for people with high blood pressure or medical conditions to restrict their sodium intake and consult with a doctor before starting warm salt water rinses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Frequently Should I Rinse with Warm Salt Water?
The ailment you are treating determines how frequently you should perform a warm salt water rinse. For the majority of oral health problems, it is typically advised to rinse your mouth with warm salt water two to three times a day.
2. What Advantages Do a Warm Salt Water Rinse Offer?
A warm salt water rinse can aid in reducing pain, swelling, and discomfort brought on by dental problems. Also, it aids in accelerating recovery and lowering the danger of infection.
3. Are There Any Negative Effects from Rinsing with Warm Salt Water?
A warm salt water rinse doesn’t have any significant negative consequences. Yet some people could have a little burning sensation or a salty aftertaste.
Proofreaded by:
Dr. Foram Bhuta
Dentist (B.D.S)
- Eke, Paul I., Wenche S. Borgnakke, and Robert J. Genco. “Recent epidemiologic trends in periodontitis in the USA.” Periodontology 2000 82.1 (2020): 257-267. ↩︎
- O’Brady, Kathy. “Allergies.” Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science (2021): 205-207. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Suchi
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