If you keep up on regular oral care, you’re well aware that flossing, brushing your teeth two to three times a day, and using mouthwash are effective ways to keep your mouth healthy. However, there is an additional method of proper oral care that you may not yet be aware of: salt water. Using salt water while rinsing can be more impactful on your oral hygiene than you may realize.
How Is Salt Water Good for My Mouth?
Believe it or not, modern age medicine practitioners aren’t the first people to discover the health benefits that salt water provides. Back in Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek times, certain medicines contained salt as an ingredient. This was because the salt had proven to reduce infection and inflammation.
Today, it’s remained a trend for dentists to use as it works to temporarily build up the pH balance found inside the mouth. Bacteria have issues forming inside of mouths with high pH balances. Because your mouth is now cleaner and less acidic, bacteria won’t have any desire to form inside of it. So, they will retreat and will no longer duplicate or spread.
Since bacteria is no longer sitting in your mouth, you won’t be as prone to catching certain illnesses. As a result, this salt water has successfully fought off various possible oral health problems. Here a few:
•Sore or swollen throat
•Bad breath
•Gum disease or gingivitis
Benefits of Rinsing with Salt Water
When salt water enters your mouth, it works to bring all of the bacteria up to the surface. This makes it easier for any water or liquid to arrive and wash that bacteria right out. This is why rinsing with salt water is highly recommended by dentists like Dr. Blank.
As a result, you’ll notice a lot of different additional health benefits when you decide to regularly rinse using this method.
Goodbye Sore Throats
Not only can salt water help kill bacteria, but it also pushes white blood cells more toward your sore throat. This helps the infection go away quicker and ultimately boosts your immune system. Anytime your throat is feeling swollen or sore, mix up some warm water with salt and gargle it. You’ll go back to feeling better and healthier in no time.
Your Breath Will Smell Fresher
When people want a quick and easy way to freshen up their breath, they often turn to use mouthwash. Another quick, effective way to make your breath smell better is by rinsing your mouth with salt water. Since it’s working to rid any bacteria forming inside of your mouth, it can help give you both a fresher breath and a fresher feeling.
Chances of Gum Disease and Cavities are Reduced
As salt enters your mouth, it immediately begins to work at fighting off any bacteria that could have already formed or could potentially start forming. Once bacteria are removed from your gums, it makes it more difficult for your gums to become infected. Salt also fights to remove any excess food in between your teeth, which helps prevent cavities from forming.
Tips for Rinsing with Salt Water
In order to effectively rid your mouth of any harmful bacteria, you should be doing whatever it takes to make your mouth as healthy as can be. To do that, here are a few tips you can follow when rinsing with salt water:
Using Salt Water Regularly
Salt water is a great way to rid your mouth of any harmful bacteria that could be resting inside of it. It’s also a great alternative to mouthwash, especially if the chemicals inside of mouthwash make you feel sick or nauseous. Once you begin using it regularly throughout your oral hygiene routine, you’ll see impressive results. If you’re looking for more tips to using salt water or want to learn more about other ways to keep your mouth feeling healthy, make an appointment today.