We all are aware how amazing salt is. This little ingredient has tremendous health and beauty benefits. A well known remedy is salt water gargle for a number of oral health issues. Gargling with warm salt water is a time tested remedy for all your mouth and throat problems, and it always works and is easy to use on-the-go.
HOW TO DO A SALT WATER GARGLE?
Take 1 cup of water and warm it a bit. Add 1 teaspoon salt in it and let it dissolve. Use this water to gargle for 3-4 minutes. Repeat this until all the water is finished. Spit it out and do not swallow.
HOW EXACTLY DOES SALT WATER GARGLE WORK?
You all must be aware of the term ‘osmosis’. It is nothing but moving the liquid from concentrated form to diluted form of from higher level to lower level. The salt water tends to draw out all the inflammatory fluids by osmosis from the permeable membrane of your skin. Since the salt water is concentrated than the inflammatory fluids caused by bacteria, it pulls it out and your skin feels no inflammation thereafter and no bacteria grows there anymore due to lack of fluids and because most of them are thrown out.
BENEFITS OF SALT WATER GARGLE:
MAINTAINS THE NATURAL PH LEVEL
Gargling with salt water maintains the natural pH of your throat and mouth. By doing this, you are maintaining the natural bacterial flora and inhibiting the invading unwanted bacteria from residing in your mouth and throat. This way you eradicate infections. Whether you have any infection or not, make salt water gargling a habit.
CLEARS MUCUS
Cough is always accompanied by mucus deposits in the nasal cavity and throat. This mucus is always expectorated when you cough or sneeze and is certainly not a good sight. Salt water gargle can dilute the mucus and make it flow out. This way it clears the throat and gives you relief from nasal congestion which is always followed by cough.
FIGHT CANDIDIASIS
Candidiasis also known as ‘thrush’ is a fungal infection that occurs in the mouth or throat due to an overgrowth of yeast. If you have oral thrush, you may experience white spots in the mouth and throat and will have difficulty swallowing. A simple salt gargle in the morning and before bedtime will help reduce the symptoms. In case of severe condition, you should visit the doctor.
CLEAN THE MOUTH
When there were no mouthwashes, people relied on salt water gargles. Now that we have so many brands having their own line of mouthwashes, some people still use salt water for gargling- since it is effective and saves money too. Gargling with salt water can replace the role of mouthwash- it freshens breath, kills opportunistic bacteria in the mouth that are about to flourish and invade and also soothe inflammation and mouth sores.
EASE TONSILLITIS
Tonsillitis is nothing but inflammation of tonsils that cause them to swell and symptoms include difficulty swallowing and painful throat. A simple salt water gargle can help draw out the inflammatory fluids and ease the symptoms.
SORE THROAT
Like I mentioned, salt water is anti-inflammatory. It helps the inflamed throat get rid of inflammatory fluids through osmosis. This way, along with the fluid, the responsible bacteria too flows out. With regular usage of salt water for gargling, sore throat can be treated gradually.
MORE: Best gargle recipes to get rid of sore throat.
BLEEDING GUMS
Bleeding gums is the first sign of gum disease. Salt is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature that helps get rid of the bleeding gums problem. Moreover, it draws infection out of any abscess which is the main breeding ground for bacteria.
BAD BREATH
Salt water is a great solution for getting rid of and preventing bad breath. It helps balance the levels of acid that contribute to bad breath. Oral bacteria are also the culprits that cause this annoying problem; salt water gargling two times a day can help you get rid of the responsible bacteria.
ORAL INFECTION
Oral infection is caused by opportunistic bacteria that grow when the immunity is supressed or low due to any other reason. Oral infection caused by bacteria and inflammatory fluids can be treated with salt water gargling. It can inhibit the growth of infection causing bacteria thereby helping you get rid of oral infection.
CANCER SORES
Cancer sores can cause pain while eating and can always behave like a blind wound that gets bitten causing the sores to inflame and cause even more pain. Salt water gargles help with cancer sores reducing the painful swelling of the cells in the mucous membrane at the back of the throat. The warm water also produces a soothing sensation and sense of relief, while the salt may help keep the area clean and inhibit bacteria growth.
TOOTHACHE
Salt water gargling works just like a pain killing mouth wash. Gargling with salt water for 30 seconds will clean away irritating debris and help reduce swelling. Just make sure the salt water you use to gargle also touches the aching tooth. Additionally, salt water cleanses the area around the tooth and draws out some of the fluid that causes swelling. Best home remedies for toothache.