Swishing with Salt Water: A Home Remedy for Fighting Tooth Decay and Bad Breath

Regular brushing and flossing are no-brainers, but did you know that swishing with salt water can add a boost to your oral hygiene? Ask any local dental professional, and they’ll tell you it’s true. We’ll explain why and tell you how to create a saltwater treatment at home.

What’s So Great About Salt Water?

Salt is a natural germ killer. It helps heal sores and mouth wounds and fights bad breath. The ancient Egyptians used salt water as a natural remedy for thousands of years. Keep in mind that we don’t recommend every homeopathic cure that’s been tried through the ages, such as swishing with urine like the ancient Romans used to do. However, a saltwater rinse is one we stand behind.

You know how doctors recommend flushing wounds with saline each time you dress them? This is like that, except for your mouth. Swishing with salt water is easy and inexpensive. Also, when you complement your brushing and flossing with a saltwater rinse, you’ll prevent dental emergencies, alleviate tooth crown pain, and minimize your need for tooth extractions, dentures, or implant crowns later in life.

How to Make a Saltwater Solution

Here’s a saltwater mixture you can prepare at home. It’s best to create a large batch and keep it in the fridge. Here’s the easy recipe:

• Start with lukewarm water, or better yet, water that’s been heated to about 100 degrees.
• Add salt, about ½ tsp of salt for every 1 cup or 8 ounces of water. Stir it until it’s completely dissolved.
• Some salt may not be super clean. If there are bits of foreign matter in the mixture, filter it through a cheesecloth.
• Put the mixture in a storable container and refrigerate.

Refrigerating a prepared mixture may make the rinsing process more pleasant. However, if you have a toothache, are recovering from a recent tooth extraction, or recently had your wisdom teeth out, a body-temperature saltwater swish might feel better.

Tips for Rinsing with Your Saltwater Solution

When you’re ready to use the rinse, follow these simple steps:

• Pour the desired amount into a drinking glass.

Gulp a mouthful and swish for about 30 seconds, but don’t swallow. Swish through all areas of the mouth, especially the hard-to-reach spots.

• Spit and rinse with clean water. This will remove the salty taste from your mouth.
• Try a second gulp and swish just to be thorough.
• Continue to rinse with clean water until the salty taste is gone.

Caution: There Is Too Much of a Good Thing

Despite the benefits of a saltwater solution, here are a few words of caution:

• Never drink the salt water.
• Do no more than 4 swishes a week. Too much salt water can weaken your teeth.
• Make sure the salt is completely dissolved, so it’s best to pre-make a solution using hot water.
• If gargling the solution is painful, you may be using too much salt and need to dilute it.
• Label your saltwater solution as a mouth rinse. Since it’s a clear liquid, it may be easy to confuse with regular drinking water.

Add this easy treatment to your at-home dental care routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy! If you have questions about this and other at-home dental remedies or want to schedule your next appointment, contact us at Beckham Square Family Dental.