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Article - Can I Use Saltwater as Mouthwash Every Day?
A saltwater mouth rinse can help cleanse your mouth and help keep oral wounds from getting infected, especially after a procedure such as a tooth extraction. However, there are limitations to its benefits. Find out how you can use saltwater as mouthwash every day, or if it should be restricted to just a few times a week. Learn more about how gargling with a mix of salt and water can help, what it can do for your oral health, and what the possible drawbacks can be if used too frequently.
Benefits of Saltwater Rinse
You can use saltwater, or sodium chloride solution approximately 3 to 4 times a week, after a thorough oral care routine of brushing and flossing. One of the main benefits of saline rinses is that they can help keep minor oral wounds and irritations from getting infected by gently cleansing the mouth. But the benefits of mouthwash in the form of a saline rinse don’t stop there.
Additional benefits of a saltwater mouth rinse can include:
Fights Bad Breath
When diluted properly, gargling with a salt and water mixture might be able to help soothe a sore throat. However, it can also help fight bad breath germs in the process. Warm salt water, when used as a mouthwash, can help remove certain bacteria from the back of the throat and mouth that are known to cause a less-than-pleasant odor.
If you’re sensitive to mouthwash, particularly those formulated with alcohol, and suffer from halitosis, a sodium chloride rinse can be a healthy alternative when helping to promote fresh breath.
Reduces Bacteria
Saltwater can help fight off a host of different oral bacteria, including bacteria that causes bad breath and harmful plaque bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Saline is known to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria. Since salt helps increase the pH level of the mouth, it also disrupts the acidic environment in which bacteria tend to thrive. In doing so, saline mouth rinses can reduce the growth of bacteria and plaque in addition to soothing gum inflammation.
Protects from Gum Disease
Saline can also be helpful for curbing the symptoms associated with gingival disease. A warm saltwater rinse can help infected gums by reducing swelling and gum inflammation. Though it cannot heal or cure gum disease, a saltwater mouth rinse does soothe the inflamed area as its antibacterial properties help reduce dental plaque. However, it is important to note that you cannot use a saltwater rinse as a daily mouthwash. Using a saline mix for the mouth on an everyday basis can cause gum irritation, bleeding, and enamel erosion.
Heals Toothache
Salt and water alone cannot fix the issue if you suffer from a toothache. However, it can help temporarily soothe some of the pain associated with a toothache. Since salt water is antibacterial, it can help to gently cleanse the mouth while also loosening any food particles or debris that may be stuck in between teeth.
Although using a warm water and salt mix can help soothe a toothache, it’s important to not use it as a mouthwash every day. Rinsing with sodium chloride too frequently can lead to enamel erosion, which leaves your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity and even tooth decay.
One of the most common causes of toothache is tooth decay. A cavity in the tooth is a small pit, or hole. Cavities can grow deeper and larger over time and should be treated by a dental professional right away.
To better avoid a painful toothache that's often associated with tooth decay, it is best to prevent it from ever happening in the first place by maintaining good oral care habits. A healthy oral hygiene routine should include:
Brush 2X/day for 2 minutes each session with a stannous fluoride toothpaste
Floss at least 1X/day
Swish with an anticavity mouthwash daily
Visit your dental professional every 6 months for professional cleanings and checkups
Tooth Extraction Healing
It is best to wait at least 24 hours before using any type of mouthwash after getting a tooth pulled. To help with the healing process, your dental professional may recommend swishing with a warm salt water mouth rinse. Gently rinsing with a warm saline solution can help cleanse the extraction site to keep it from getting infected.
Saline rinses can also help cleanse other oral wounds such as canker sores and irritations.
Cost Effective
Using a sodium chloride rinse can help give your at-home oral care routine a boost without breaking the bank. The salt in the mixture helps neutralize Ph levels to help keep your gums in good condition.
How to Make a Saltwater Rinse
A saline solution is relatively easy to make. Simply add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. You can use the solution to rinse your mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then spit it out. Make sure to not swallow the salt and water solution.
Follow these tips to get the most out of your rinse:
Use warm water: Warm water helps to dissolve the salt more easily and can make the rinse more comfortable.
Use the right amount of salt: Using too much salt can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, while using too little may not be effective. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and adjust as needed.
Use it at the right time: Saltwater rinse can be used at any time of day, but it may be most effective after brushing and flossing.
Don't swallow the solution: Saltwater rinse is meant to be spit out, not swallowed. Swallowing the solution can cause nausea and vomiting.
Don't overuse it: While saltwater rinse is generally safe to use about 3 or 4 times a week. Using it too often can lead to dry mouth, enamel erosion, and gum irritation, all of which can cause other oral health problems.
Saltwater Rinse vs. Mouthwash
Swishing with warm water and salt can be a great short-term solution when you have an oral wound, especially after an oral procedure like a tooth extraction. However, unlike most over the counter mouthwashes, you shouldn’t use a saline solution every day. Frequent use of a salt rinse in the mouth can do more harm than good when it comes to keeping your mouth healthy. Gum bleeding, irritation, and enamel erosion can all occur if swishing with salt water too often.
There are specialized mouthwash options available to help with benefits such as gum care, plaque removal, and even teeth whitening—all without the harsh burn of alcohol.
Saltwater Mouth Rinse FAQs
How often should I rinse my mouth with saltwater?
Generally, a saltwater rinse can be used about 3 to 4 times a week to gently cleanse the mouth. To make the most of its benefits, try rinsing with saltwater after brushing and flossing.
Can I brush my teeth with saltwater every day?
While rinsing with saltwater can help cleanse the mouth, it is not recommended as a direct application on teeth. Salt is abrasive, and too much sodium can cause the enamel of your teeth to weaken and erode.
Can you overuse saltwater rinse?
Yes, it is possible to overuse a saltwater mouth rinse. Typically, you should only use it about 3 to 4 times a week after brushing and flossing. Frequent use can impact your oral health in a negative way.
Can gargling with saltwater be harmful for teeth?
Gargling with saltwater can help soothe a sore throat and reduce the number of oral bacteria. However, too much use of a saltwater rinse can have negative effects on the mouth. These include enamel erosion, dry mouth, gum bleeding, and irritation.
From Oral-B, the #1 toothbrush brand used by dentists worldwide.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/salt-water-rinse
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325238
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4956236/
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/110812dentalextractions.pdf
https://www.guardiandirect.com/dental-care/how-saltwater-rinse-improve-your-oral-health
https://www.dentalhealth.org/what-to-do-following-an-extraction
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