Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsRecipeUsesPrecautions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Recipe
Uses
Precautions
Using a saltwater rinse can help heal gums and improve oral health in just a few days. Swish a mixture of water and salt for 15 to 30 seconds up to three times a day to cleanse your mouth, ward off infection, and relieve toothache pain.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Benefits of Saltwater Rinses
Traditional mouthwashes often have alcohol in them. They can irritate swollen mucous membranes in the mouth. That’s a big reason why dentists suggest salt water to relieve pain and swelling after a deep cleaning or other dental procedure.
Saltwater rinses have been proven to:
Dentists commonly recommend the use of a saltwater rinse after havingwisdom teeth removedor other oral surgery.
Baking soda is another ingredient often used in mouth rinses. Like salt, it can kill bacteria in the mouth; it also reduces acidity, which can irritate teeth and gums.
How to Prepare a Saltwater Rinse
Making a saltwater mouth rinse is easy: Put a teaspoon of salt into an eight-ounce glass of warm water. One teaspoon of baking soda can also be added if desired. Don’t use very hot or cold water; warm tap water should be adequate to dissolve salt and baking soda.
If you find 1 teaspoon of salt to be too strong, cut back to 1/2 teaspoon. Make a fresh solution for each use.
How to Use
For continued use—with the approval of your healthcare provider or dentist—rinse once per day, no more than three to four days per week.
When to Use
Gargling with a saltwater solution can be an effective way to keep your mouth healthy. Listed below are some of the ways you can use this type of rinse.
Healthy Gums
Having good oral hygiene can help keep your gums clean and healthy. Using a saltwater rinse occasionally can help combat bacteria that causegum diseaseandtooth decay.
Using a saltwater rinse for gums can also help cleanse and soothebleeding gums. One research study found that a saltwater solution with .9% to 1.8% salt helped promote healthy gums and improve healing from gum disease.
How Long Does It Take Salt Water to Heal Gums?Salt water alone can’t cure gum disease, but it can help clean the gums and ease soreness.Consult with your dentist or periodontist to learn more about how and when you should use it.
How Long Does It Take Salt Water to Heal Gums?
Salt water alone can’t cure gum disease, but it can help clean the gums and ease soreness.Consult with your dentist or periodontist to learn more about how and when you should use it.
Salt water alone can’t cure gum disease, but it can help clean the gums and ease soreness.
Consult with your dentist or periodontist to learn more about how and when you should use it.
Toothache
Rinsing with warm salt water two to three times a day may help to relieve a toothache because salt water works as an antiseptic. It gently removes bacteria from the infected area and helps reduce inflammation.
Oral Ulcers
Research shows that rinsing the mouth with a saltwater solution may help getrid of canker sores(aphthous ulcers). Not only does it help disinfect and soothe the ulcer, but it may also promote wound healing.
Oral Baking Soda Paste for Canker SoresIf you want to target a specific sore in your mouth, such as a canker sore, it’s easy to create a paste. Mix baking soda and small drops of water gradually until the paste is about as thick as toothpaste. Cover the canker sore with the paste. Repeat as often as necessary.
Oral Baking Soda Paste for Canker Sores
If you want to target a specific sore in your mouth, such as a canker sore, it’s easy to create a paste. Mix baking soda and small drops of water gradually until the paste is about as thick as toothpaste. Cover the canker sore with the paste. Repeat as often as necessary.
After Oral Surgery
Your dentist or periodontist may recommend that you rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution to help yourrecovery after oral surgery. This includes atooth extractionor a procedure that affects the gums and tissues in the mouth.
Research shows that this treatment can help reduce inflammation and promote the healing process.
Sore Throat
Gargling with salt watercan also help soothe a sore or irritated throat.
A 2019 study published in theJournal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Researchfound that gargling with a salt solution helped reduce pain and other symptoms associated with an inflamed throat (pharyngitis).
Respiratory Infections
Some studies have found that saline rinses used for nasal irrigation and gargling may reduce the duration of upper respiratory infections.
While using a saltwater rinse is generally considered safe and has several advantages, it might not be the best treatment for everyone.
Summary
Saltwater rinses can be used to reduce pain and help with swelling after a dental procedure or if you have canker sores or a sore throat.
Making a saline solution is as easy as stirring a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. You can also add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the mix if you like. Make it fresh each time you use it.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Aravinth V, Aswath Narayanan M, Ramesh Kumar S, Selvamary Al, Sujatha A.Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: a school-based randomized controlled trial.J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2017;35(4):319. doi:10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_299_16Sutherland Dental.Benefits Of Saltwater Rinse For Oral Health.Colgate.How to keep your gums healthy.Colgate.How salt water mouth rinse benefits oral health.Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healing in vitro.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Collins JR, Veras K, Hernández M, Hou W, Hong H, Romanos GE.Anti-inflammatory effect of salt water and chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse after periodontal surgery: A randomized prospective clinical study.Clin Oral Invest. 2021;25(7):4349-4357. doi:10.1007/s00784-020-03748-wHealth - University of Utah.Does Gargling Salt Water Help a Sore Throat?Sallih MAEBM, Abu Bakar MZB.Randomised controlled trial of salt solution (sodium chloride) mouth wash vs thymol glycerine usage in sore throat with non bacterial pharyngitis.J Complement Altern Med Res. 2019;8(1):1-5. doi:10.9734/jocamr/2019/v7i430110Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):1015. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-37703-3Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling should be considered as a treatment option for COVID-19.Journal of Global Health. 2020;10(1):010332. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.010332Abdallah MN, Eimar H, Bassett DC, et al.Diagenesis-inspired reaction of magnesium ions with surface enamel mineral modifies properties of human teeth.Acta Biomaterialia. 2016;37:174-183. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.005Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17Zhang J, Zhang N, Liu S, Du S, Ma G.Young adults with higher salt intake have inferior hydration status: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2022;14(2):287. doi:10.3390/nu14020287NHS.How to keep your teeth clean.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Aravinth V, Aswath Narayanan M, Ramesh Kumar S, Selvamary Al, Sujatha A.Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: a school-based randomized controlled trial.J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2017;35(4):319. doi:10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_299_16Sutherland Dental.Benefits Of Saltwater Rinse For Oral Health.Colgate.How to keep your gums healthy.Colgate.How salt water mouth rinse benefits oral health.Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healing in vitro.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Collins JR, Veras K, Hernández M, Hou W, Hong H, Romanos GE.Anti-inflammatory effect of salt water and chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse after periodontal surgery: A randomized prospective clinical study.Clin Oral Invest. 2021;25(7):4349-4357. doi:10.1007/s00784-020-03748-wHealth - University of Utah.Does Gargling Salt Water Help a Sore Throat?Sallih MAEBM, Abu Bakar MZB.Randomised controlled trial of salt solution (sodium chloride) mouth wash vs thymol glycerine usage in sore throat with non bacterial pharyngitis.J Complement Altern Med Res. 2019;8(1):1-5. doi:10.9734/jocamr/2019/v7i430110Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):1015. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-37703-3Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling should be considered as a treatment option for COVID-19.Journal of Global Health. 2020;10(1):010332. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.010332Abdallah MN, Eimar H, Bassett DC, et al.Diagenesis-inspired reaction of magnesium ions with surface enamel mineral modifies properties of human teeth.Acta Biomaterialia. 2016;37:174-183. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.005Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17Zhang J, Zhang N, Liu S, Du S, Ma G.Young adults with higher salt intake have inferior hydration status: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2022;14(2):287. doi:10.3390/nu14020287NHS.How to keep your teeth clean.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Aravinth V, Aswath Narayanan M, Ramesh Kumar S, Selvamary Al, Sujatha A.Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: a school-based randomized controlled trial.J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2017;35(4):319. doi:10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_299_16Sutherland Dental.Benefits Of Saltwater Rinse For Oral Health.Colgate.How to keep your gums healthy.Colgate.How salt water mouth rinse benefits oral health.Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healing in vitro.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Collins JR, Veras K, Hernández M, Hou W, Hong H, Romanos GE.Anti-inflammatory effect of salt water and chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse after periodontal surgery: A randomized prospective clinical study.Clin Oral Invest. 2021;25(7):4349-4357. doi:10.1007/s00784-020-03748-wHealth - University of Utah.Does Gargling Salt Water Help a Sore Throat?Sallih MAEBM, Abu Bakar MZB.Randomised controlled trial of salt solution (sodium chloride) mouth wash vs thymol glycerine usage in sore throat with non bacterial pharyngitis.J Complement Altern Med Res. 2019;8(1):1-5. doi:10.9734/jocamr/2019/v7i430110Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):1015. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-37703-3Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling should be considered as a treatment option for COVID-19.Journal of Global Health. 2020;10(1):010332. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.010332Abdallah MN, Eimar H, Bassett DC, et al.Diagenesis-inspired reaction of magnesium ions with surface enamel mineral modifies properties of human teeth.Acta Biomaterialia. 2016;37:174-183. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.005Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17Zhang J, Zhang N, Liu S, Du S, Ma G.Young adults with higher salt intake have inferior hydration status: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2022;14(2):287. doi:10.3390/nu14020287NHS.How to keep your teeth clean.
Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843
Aravinth V, Aswath Narayanan M, Ramesh Kumar S, Selvamary Al, Sujatha A.Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: a school-based randomized controlled trial.J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2017;35(4):319. doi:10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_299_16
Sutherland Dental.Benefits Of Saltwater Rinse For Oral Health.
Colgate.How to keep your gums healthy.
Colgate.How salt water mouth rinse benefits oral health.
Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healing in vitro.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843
Collins JR, Veras K, Hernández M, Hou W, Hong H, Romanos GE.Anti-inflammatory effect of salt water and chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse after periodontal surgery: A randomized prospective clinical study.Clin Oral Invest. 2021;25(7):4349-4357. doi:10.1007/s00784-020-03748-w
Health - University of Utah.Does Gargling Salt Water Help a Sore Throat?
Sallih MAEBM, Abu Bakar MZB.Randomised controlled trial of salt solution (sodium chloride) mouth wash vs thymol glycerine usage in sore throat with non bacterial pharyngitis.J Complement Altern Med Res. 2019;8(1):1-5. doi:10.9734/jocamr/2019/v7i430110
Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):1015. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-37703-3
Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, Morrice L, Sheikh A.Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling should be considered as a treatment option for COVID-19.Journal of Global Health. 2020;10(1):010332. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.010332
Abdallah MN, Eimar H, Bassett DC, et al.Diagenesis-inspired reaction of magnesium ions with surface enamel mineral modifies properties of human teeth.Acta Biomaterialia. 2016;37:174-183. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.005
Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17
Zhang J, Zhang N, Liu S, Du S, Ma G.Young adults with higher salt intake have inferior hydration status: a cross-sectional study.Nutrients. 2022;14(2):287. doi:10.3390/nu14020287
NHS.How to keep your teeth clean.
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