Top Five Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Water Rinses

If you are considering either assembling your own homemade salt water rinse or purchasing a manufactured salt water rinse, you may have several questions about this type of gargle. Below, we have answered the top five frequently asked questions about this product.

1. What Does a Salt Water Rinse Do?

A salt water rinse can keep your mouth clean by killing bacteria. These gargles can also decrease the amount of plaque found in the mouth and can even help heal your gums after a dental procedure. Some research studies support the idea that salt water gargles can prevent upper respiratory infections.

2. Is It Safe to Rinse with Salt Water Every Day?

For the most part, it is completely safe to rinse with a salt water gargle once per day. However, you should avoid rinsing with a salt water solution regularly if you have high blood pressure and need to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet.

3. Can a Salt Water Rinse Heal My Gum Infection?

If you have a gum infection, a salt water gargle can remove the bacteria found in the area of the If you have a gum infection, a salt water gargle can remove the bacteria found in the area of the infection and may even alleviate pain. However, a salt water rinse will not cure gum infection completely.

4. How Long Should I Rinse with Salt Water?

You should gargle with a salt water solution for about 30 seconds once per day. All you need to do is gargle it around your throat, gums, and teeth. If you have a sore or irritated throat, then you can rinse for 30 seconds every couple of hours to relieve the pain.

5. Should I Brush My Teeth After Gargling with Salt Water?

You can use a salt water rinse before or after brushing your teeth and flossing. It’s up to you to see when you’d prefer to gargle with salt water. You might choose to gargle at the end once you’ve brushed and flossed out any food particles stuck in your teeth.