A saltwater rinse can be performed three to four times a week, but it is important that you don't go beyond this because salt contains sodium, and too much sodium can impact your tooth enamel negatively.
Since bacteria thrive in acidic environments and salt removes water from bacteria via osmosis, swishing with salt water can stop bacterial growth and reduce plaque and inflammation. This reduction in bacteria will reduce your likelihood of getting sick or developing a sore throat, bad breath, cavities, or gum disease.
After brushing and flossing, you can use a salt rinse three to four times a week. But don't use a salt rinse more often than this - too much sodium could have negative effects on your tooth enamel, like eventual erosion⁴.
Stir the salt until it dissolves entirely. Gargle for about 15 to 30 seconds before spitting the water out. For best results, use this convenient home remedy two to three times every day. Remember, saltwater rinses are better used on newly developed gingivitis and are not practical against periodontal disease.
The saltwater breaks up mucus and irritants and all sorts of fungi from the throat. However, it is recommended that you only gargle no more than two or three times a day, as too much gargling is not good either. Balance is the key.
Supporters of this process believe that salt water cleanses can help remove nasty toxins, waste, and parasites inside the colon. It is a safe practice, but you may only want to do them once or twice a week.
Saltwater rinses are an excellent at-home treatment for inflamed or receding gums. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. Rinse with salt water two to three times each day.
Salt water can help to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Salt has healing properties that can treat and heal inflamed or swollen gums caused by gum disease. Even though salt water is extremely effective in helping to treat gum disease, salt water cannot cure gum disease.
Mouthwash vs Saltwater
It ultimately boils down to what you need to use an oral rinsing solution for. Saltwater rinse is often recommended for soothing oral pain as mentioned above and it is excellent at killing bacteria because the said bacteria cannot live in salt (hence why it can be used for meat preservation).
If you are looking for a natural way to promote your oral hygiene, look to the sea. Sea salt has proven to promote oral health, and a sea salt mouthwash can help you fight bad breath germs while leaving a fresh, clean feeling.
Baking soda is another ingredient often used in mouth rinses. Like salt, it can kill bacteria in the mouth, and it also reduces acidity than can irritate teeth and gums.
If you are using salt water rinses for infections in your mouth, spitting out the rinse is suggested to keep the conditions at bay. Indulging in saltwater rinses multiple times a day or swallowing salt water can lead to dehydration.
Saltwater acts by reducing swelling and increasing blood flow necessary for speedy healing. It is also useful in speeding up the healing of sores and wounds and reducing bacteria and inflammation in the mouth.
Mix a tablespoon of salt in 6 ounces of warm water and swish vigorously around in your mouth. Continue this at least for a minute before you rinse, spit and repeat. This will draw out all that hidden bacteria effectively. Gradually, your gums will begin to strengthen and so will the loose tooth.
Unless you've had oral surgery, it's generally recommended to use a salt water rinse after brushing and flossing your teeth. This is because brushing your teeth helps remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and along the gums, while the salt water rinse helps reduce inflammation in your gums and other soft tissues.
How Long Should I Rinse with Salt Water for Swollen Gums? You should rinse with salt water between 15-30 seconds, and you're not supposed to swallow it.
The research study showed that sea salt eradicated bacteria that causes periodontal gum disease. In my practice, I advise my patients to rinse with sea salt every time they experience acute flare-ups of gum disease, which show up as bleeding gums.
GUM GRAFTS
If gum tissue has been lost your dentist may suggest soft tissue, or gum graft, surgery. This is where tissue is grafted from surrounding gums or the roof of your mouth and stitched to the gum tissue to cover the exposed root of your tooth.
Salt Reduces Dental Bacteria
Salt inhibits dental bacteria by increasing the pH balance of your mouth. It creates an alkaline environment that the bacteria can barely survive in. Bacteria prefer an acidic environment, which lets them grow and attack the enamel on teeth.
Rinsing regularly with warm salt water balances the pH—the acidity level—of your mouth. Bad bacteria, unsurprisingly, don't like a healthy pH balance so rinsing with warm salt water can, um, flush them out. A balanced pH level isn't just useful in keeping bad bacteria to a minimum.