One Reason to Be Salty | Dentist in Riverside, CA

When we hear the word salty, we don’t necessarily think of it as a good thing. Not only does too much salt ruin a dish, but it can cause health problems if you overindulge. Not to mention the newest slang term for a someone with a bad attitude. But there is one way that salt is actually good for us – for our mouths more specifically. And it is something that we can do on our own: the saltwater rinse.

Saltwater mouth rinses are easily made at home using a combination of warm water and salt. The salt increases the pH of your mouth, creating an alkaline environment that is hostile towards bacteria. To put is basically, saltwater rinses help keep our mouths healthy by killing off cavity-causing bacteria. It is used often to soothe sore mouths after surgery or to relieve a toothache while waiting for your dental appointment.

Making a saltwater rinse is easy – add one half teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth every two to three hours after surgery. The water should be warm to help dissolve the salt, but not hot – it should be considerably cooler than you would use for a cup of hot coffee or tea. The salt will help treat both dental-related issues (such as damaged tissue following tooth extraction) and even non-dental issues, such as sore throat caused by the common cold.

While there are benefits to using a saltwater rinse, many dentists typically recommend antibacterial commercial mouthwashes for everyday use. While saltwater is great for treating mouths with injuries, medicated commercial mouthwashes are better at killing bacteria, though they’re slightly harsher on the mouth.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton in Riverside, CA at (951) 688-3442 or visit www.gmdental.com.

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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