Saltwater gargles are an effective, cheap, and safest home remedy to ease pain and relieve symptoms from those health conditions that usually affect our mouth and throat. However, there are various medications available in the market at pharmacies. But many people prefer saltwater gargles and other home remedies.
Here, we will discuss what saltwater gargles are and How it is useful in treating and preventing throat.
How to Make Salt Water for Gargling?
Saltwater gargles can be made easily. According to the ADA recommendation, you should add half a teaspoon (tsp) of salt to 8 ounces of warm water and then mix until these items get combined. Another way to make saltwater for gargling is by adding baking soda. According to ACS recommendation, you can combine the following to prepare saltwater for gargling.
- 1 qt water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
Benefits of Salt Water Gargling
Strep Throat
It’s a common condition caused by Streptococcus bacteria. And, this bacterial infection causes pain and inflammation in the throat. This infection can affect children and adults of all ages. However, it’s commonly found in children between the ages of 5 and 15.
In addition, sneezing and coughing due to step throat can spread the infection from one person to another. Saltwater gargles for strep throat are the cheapest remedy to treat it.
Sore Throat
Gargling is an old home remedy, but saltwater gargles are still recommended for throat pain by doctors in clinical settings. These are effective for colds or flu that cause a mild sore throat.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils resulting from either a viral or bacterial infection. However, these are rarely serious and usually clear up on their own with salt water gargling.
Dental Problems
If we do gargling regularly with salt water, it may help remove bacteria from the gums. Salt water gargle is also a great home remedy for toothache. Additionally, it helps clean and prevent the buildup of tartar and plaque. And, it is necessary to keep it clean because bacteria in the mouth can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Canker Sores:- Canker sores are painful ulcers that develop in our mouth. Gargling helps in saltwater retention that may help ease pain and promote healing of canker sores.
Sinus and Respiratory Infections
Studies also show that saltwater is useful in reducing infection severity, whether you are suffering from a viral or bacterial infection. Its symptoms include:
- colds
- Flu
- Strep throat
Allergies
You may suffer from some allergies, such as hay fever. It can lead to a person’s nasal passages and throat swelling, which will be uncomfortable. However, saltwater gargling will not prevent your allergy, but it will surely help alleviate some throat discomfort.
Does Saltwater Kill Bacteria?
Saltwater helps kill some throat and mouth bacteria. Moreover, saltwater is useful to bring it to the surface of the gums, teeth, and throat. Once the bacteria are brought to the surface, some bacteria wash away when a person spits the saltwater out.
How to Gargle?
Gargling is also easy. You need the salt water to gargle:
- Firstly take saltwater in your mouth as much you can take comfortably.
- Now, gargle the saltwater in your mouth around the back of the throat.
- Then, rinse around the mouth, teeth, and gums.
- Now, Spit out the solution.
While gargling, you should try to gargle the saltwater solution for as long as possible. Although saltwater is considered safe to swallow, it will be best if you spit it out. You should gargle with salt water at least once or twice a day for effective results, especially if you suffer from a sore throat.
In addition, if someone is recovering from dental procedures, they can also use a saltwater solution to rinse their mouths. Although, for the first few days, people should rinse very gently to prevent their scabs from opening up. Also, they should follow the directions from their dentist.
Conclusion
Gargling with salt water is useful for mouth cleaning. Also, it helps in alleviating pain and discomfort people face due to dental procedures, sore throats, and mouth sores. In short, it helps reduce the symptoms. Saltwater gargles are cheap, natural, and quick alternatives to medicated mouthwashes.
You can gargle several times safely with saltwater because it has no side effects. However, people suffering from blood pressure or who need to limit their sodium intake should consult with a doctor or health specialist before gargling with saltwater.