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It’s often the case that the most important aspects of your oral health start at home – brushing, and flossing, are at the top of the list. But there are other things you can do at home to help keep your mouth happy. One of the easiest and most effective treatments for dental pain – especially when recovering from professional dental procedures – is a warm saltwater rinse.
Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater temporarily creates an environment in which bacteria have a harder time surviving. While it may not kill all bacteria, it will make it difficult for them to multiply, which will help your mouth in the longer term. The salt also promotes healing, so if you’ve recently had dental procedures or oral surgery, the saltwater rinse will assist your tissue in healing.
Making a saltwater rinse is easy – use ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and rinse for approximately 30 seconds.
If you’ve recently had oral surgery, you can rinse every 2-3 hours for the first few days, and then 3-4 times per day for the next week. If you haven’t recently had surgery, you should consider a saltwater rinse no more than once a week – using saltwater rinses too often may cause long term negative effects on your enamel.
Brushing and flossing properly are always critical to long term dental health, but if you have a cut on your inner cheek, or if you’ve recently had dental surgery, a warm saltwater rinse may be a great way to help your mouth heal.
For more information call Dr. Gerald Middleton in Riverside, CA at (951) 470-3379. Visit our website for special offers, updates and to make an appointment, www.gmdental.com.
Accepting patients from Riverside, Norco, Ontario, Murrieta, Fontana and surrounding communities.
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