Gargling with salt water and surprisingly effective benefits
Doctor Truong My Linh's article about gargling with salt water with surprisingly effective benefits. So in what cases is salt water effective?
Gargling with salt water and surprisingly effective benefits
Sore throat, sore mouth are common conditions in many people. When the disease is often painful, accompanied by discomfort, it affects daily life. There are many ways to relieve pain and discomfort such as: taking pills, sucking on mints, gargling, etc. Gargling with salt water is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to relieve symptoms. Currently in drugstores, stores, there are many different mouthwash products sold.
However, many people still prefer to use salt water because of its convenience. In the following, we will learn how the ingredients are and in which cases salt water can support treatment and prevention. The article will also show you how to make and use salt water at home properly.
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- 1/ What is saline solution?
- 2/ Using salt water can be effective in any case?
- 3/ Does salt water kill bacteria?
- 4/ Recipe for making salt water
- 5/ How to effectively rinse with salt water?
- 6/ Advice when using diluted saline solution.
1/ What is saline solution?
Brine solution is a product that can be prepared at home. It helps to relieve sore throat and other mouth sores. Brine is a simple mixture of two ingredients: water and salt. This is an extremely cheap, safe and effective mixture compared to mouthwashes. Salt water is completely safe for children over 6 years old, can be used to rinse the mouth easily.
Currently, there are not many studies on salt water. There was a small study from 2010 in 45 children: Investigating the effectiveness of gargling with salt water and rinsing with water containing alum. The study reported that: Children who used salt water twice a day for 21 days had a lower level of oral bacteria than no use. However, salt water gargling was not effective in reducing bacteria with mouthwash containing Alum. Alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) is an active ingredient found in many mouthwashes. Dentists often recommend gargling with salt water to help ease a sore throat.
Since ancient times, salt water has been used as a treatment method before the advent of western medicine. In fact, modern research and medicine also consider salt water rinsing as a supportive treatment method. Salt helps to remove water from tissues, creating a barrier to prevent bacteria from entering.
2/ Using salt water can be effective in any case?
Salt water can be effective in treating mild, stinging pain in the mouth and throat. So what cases can salt water help to treat and prevent?
Sore throat
Salt water is effective in relieving the discomfort of a sore throat. ICSI (American Institute of Dental System Improvement) and ACSC (American Cancer Society) both recommend gargling with salt water to help soothe the throat. In case of severe sore throat, it should be combined with acetaminophen and ibuprofen to increase pain relief. According to the ACS, regular salt water rinsing also helps keep the mouth clean and prevents infection. Especially in people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Mouth sores
Small painful sores can form in the mouth, making it difficult to eat, drink, or speak. Gargling with salt water can relieve pain and speed healing.
Allergy
Some allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), can cause the nose and throat to swell, causing discomfort. Although gargling with salt water cannot prevent allergies, it can help alleviate some of your throat discomfort.
Respiratory tract infections
Typical upper respiratory tract infections include:
- Common cold
- Flu,
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Sinusitis
Some studies have shown that gargling with a saline solution can ease symptoms. It can even prevent infections in the upper respiratory tract. An example study in 2013 with 338 participants, found that: People who gargle with salt water were less likely to develop upper respiratory infections.
Maintain oral health
Gargling with salt water daily will assist in removing bacteria from the gums, helping to clean and prevent the formation of plaque and tartar. Bacterial buildup in the mouth can lead to gingivitis and tooth decay.
After the dental treatment
Traditional mouthwashes often contain alcohol. This ingredient irritates the swollen mucosa. That's why many dentists recommend using saline, to reduce pain and swelling. Especially after tartar and tooth extraction.
The use of saline after tooth extraction must be according to the instructions of the dentist. Usually, after a tooth has just been extracted, you should not use salt water to rinse your mouth immediately to avoid blood clots, affecting healing. In the following days, you can use salt water to gently spit. Salt water helps relieve pain and discomfort caused by tooth extraction.
Halitosis
Salt water helps prevent bacteria from entering the mucosal surface of the mouth and tongue. This prevents the action of bacteria that cause gum in the mouth. The use of salt water mouthwash helps prevent bad breath.
3/ Does salt water kill bacteria?
Salt water cannot kill all bacteria in the mouth and hong. However, saline solution helps to remove bacteria from the surface of gums, teeth, and throat mucosa. Thanks to that, the bacteria are easily washed away when the salt water is spit out.
4/ Recipe for making salt water
Salt water solution for gargling is very easy to make. Can be used by both adults and children. However, it is recommended for children 6 years and older to use.
According to the ADA's recommendations, you should add half a teaspoon of salt to about 30ml of warm water, then dissolve the mixture. Another recipe adds baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the brine. For example, the ACS recommends mixing according to the following formula:
- 8 ounces (about 1 quart of water)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon soda powder
5/ How to effectively rinse with salt water?
For the salt water rinse to be effective, do the following:
- Take a moderate amount of the solution into your mouth.
- Gargle with salt water in the back of the throat
- Gargle around mouth, gums, teeth
- Spit the water out
Everyone should rinse as long as possible. Although saline solutions can be safely swallowed. However, it is best to spit it out. To achieve maximum effect, people should rinse 1-2 times/day.
After dental treatment people can also rinse lightly with salt water. However, in the first few days, you should only rinse gently to avoid the wound from bursting. You should follow your dentist's instructions exactly.
6/ Advice when using diluted saline solution.
Salt water gargling is safe for both adults and children. However, if anyone has problems with the ability to rinse their mouth, they should not use it. Some young children may not be able to rinse effectively. Children should be carefully guided by adults before performing.
Salt water rinses are safe and have no side effects. People with high blood pressure and medical conditions that need to limit salt intake should talk to their doctor or dentist before performing a saline rinse. Those who do not like the taste of salt can add honey, mint, garlic, etc. to change the taste. However, there are no studies that show that adding these substances increases the effectiveness of saline rinses.
>> Physiological saline is very good, especially for both adults and children. Use physiological saline to drop the nose, deep clean and clean the nose most thoroughly in cold weather. However, not everyone knows how to properly drop their nose. SignsSymptomsList will share with you how to properly use physiological saline nasal drops !
Gargling with salt water helps to keep the mouth clean. At the same time reduce pain and discomfort caused by sore throat, mouth or after dental treatment. Salt water mouthwash is quick, easy to make and all-natural compared to other mouthwashes. Each person can gargle with salt water several times per day. However, patients with high blood pressure and patients with limited salt intake should consult their doctor before doing so.