How is gargling with salt water beneficial to oral health?

Salt is a precious resource that nature bestows on man. Surely we are all familiar with the uses of salt in food as well as in medicine. Especially gargling with salt water is also a good way to protect oral health. So what exactly are the benefits of gargling with salt water? Let's find out with doctor Kim Thach Thanh Truc through the article below. 

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Health benefits of salt

Salt is a mineral whose main component is sodium chloride (NaCl). It was not until later that people studied the use of salt in medicine, but since 1600 BC, salt has been used to treat diseases. Among them, the most common use of salt is disinfection. Besides, salt also has other good health benefits. Before learning about the benefits of gargling with salt water , let's take a look at the benefits of sea salt.

How is gargling with salt water beneficial to oral health?

Sea salt brings more benefits than daily table salt

Preventing cardiovascular diseases

Sea salt is effective against cardiovascular diseases . You need to note the difference between sea salt and table salt . Sea salt has a higher amount of minerals. So, if we use a lot of salt, it will not be beneficial for heart health.

Balance electrolytes and prevent cramps

Sea salt contains sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium. It is also an excellent source of electrolytes. It has many effects in preventing muscle cramps during exercise. If the body does not have enough electrolytes, you may experience: irregular heartbeat, fatigue, nausea.

See also: Causes and treatment when cramps

Supports a healthy nervous system

The sodium present in salt is responsible for regulating the flow of water throughout the body. This is great for the health of the nervous system. However, sea salt is still more beneficial because the brain needs a balance between sodium and other electrolytes. And sea salt is lower in sodium than table salt.

Improve sleep

Many doctors advise us not to eat salty foods before going to bed. But this advice covers table salt and processed foods. Sea salt is said to improve sleep because it contains a lot of electrolytes that are helpful for hormone regulation. It will help you sleep better and deeper.

See also: How to treat insomnia without drugs

The benefits of gargling with salt water

According to an article in PLOS ONE Journal, dentists often recommend that we rinse our mouth regularly, along with brushing our teeth every day. This is how we maintain our oral health at its best. The following are the effects that gargling with salt water brings to you.

Prevents the growth of bacteria in the mouth

Regular gargling with salt water will prevent the growth of bacteria in our mouth. Salt water mouthwash works by increasing the pH balance inside the mouth, creating a more alkaline environment.

While harmful bacteria prefer acidic environments. So they are no longer able to grow in a neutralized environment. From there, our mouth can prevent inflammation and be healthier.

How is gargling with salt water beneficial to oral health?

Gargling with salt water helps you improve your oral health

Support dental recovery after dental procedures

Salt water helps aid in the healing process after dental procedures such as tooth extraction. Because it promotes the migration of gingival fibroblasts and increases the amount of components of the extracellular matrix, which helps to regulate wound healing.

Besides, salt water does not irritate the soft tissues in the mouth. And it will not cause burns or mouth pain if there is a wound in our mouth.

Gargling with salt water can also prevent dry socket inflammation (also known as alveolar osteomyelitis). This is a condition that occurs after the extraction of a permanent tooth.

See more: How to take care after tooth extraction to heal well?

Improve respiratory health

Many studies have shown that people who regularly gargle with salt water have resistance against common colds as well as prevent upper respiratory tract infections. During a complicated epidemic, you should regularly gargle with salt water. This helps increase resistance as well as soothe sore throats.

Improve bad breath

If your mouth is sensitive to alcohol-based mouthwashes, salt water is a great alternative. Salt water will give you a fresh breath with natural ingredients and cheap price.

In addition, gargling with salt water also helps remove food particles stuck between your teeth. Food particles that get stuck for a long time are the cause of irritation and inflammation of the gums. So, salt water not only improves bad breath but also helps you prevent gingivitis.

However, if bad breath persists for a long time or doesn't go away, it could be a sign of a medical condition. You need to see a doctor as soon as this happens.

See more: Tell you how to treat bad breath effectively and simply

When to gargle with salt water?

The following times, you can gargle with salt water to support oral health:

  • After tooth extraction.
  • Having a sore throat .
  • You have canker sores (canker sores).
  • People who are suffering from periodontal diseases, toothache.

See also: Gingivitis and periodontitis: What do you know?

Side effects if using salt water mouthwash?

Gargling with salt water in general brings many benefits both in terms of health and economy. However, if we abuse salt water in mouthwash, we can also experience the following side effects.

Overuse of salt water mouthwash can irritate gums leading to more bleeding. Saline solutions are generally safe to swallow, but it's best to spit them out.

We also should not gargle several times a day and swallow too much salt water, as this can also cause the body to fall into a state of dehydration. Salt can also damage tooth enamel if we overuse it.

How is gargling with salt water beneficial to oral health?

You need to mix salt water gargle with the appropriate concentration

You can gargle with physiological saline or homemade saline. However, it is necessary to choose to buy / or mix salt water with a concentration of 0.9 % -9g salt per 1000 ml of water. Avoid using salt water that is too salty or too pale.

In addition to sterilization properties; Salt water used to gargle can also be used to treat other oral problems: bad breath , gingivitis, sore throat, etc. However, you also need to consult a specialist when you want to gargle . mouth with salt water daily as well as use salt water to treat dental diseases.

See more: Cardamom: A medicine that works to treat bad breath