Gum disease is very common. About 95% of us will suffer from this disease at some point in our lives. However, who is not afraid of visiting the dentist? So, it is no wonder that one would look for the home remedies at first for treating it. One of the known remedy to treat gum disease is salt water rinse. Read below to know if salt water can treat gum disease.
Can Salt Water Treat Gum Disease?
Earlier people used salt water to help treat wounds. It is believed the Chinese first used salt water rinses to treat gum disease. The ancient Egyptians also noted the effectiveness of salt water on injuries.
Salt water is known to be beneficial in fighting gum disease or gum infection. Salt water kills bacteria by sucking all the liquid from their cells and by bursting them. Salt acts as a natural disinfectant and reduces the swelling of the gums. It is known that salt water can also draw out fluid from your gums so as to bring down the swelling. Salt water rinses alkalinize the mouth or increase the pH levels and this limits the bacterial growth, as bacteria required a moist environment so as to thrive, so without enough water, they cannot survive. Apart from this, salt water being an astringent, is also beneficial in promoting wound healing by reducing inflammation.
For making a salt water rinse, you need to use coarse salt that would get you the maximum benefits. However, you may also use table salt in a pinch. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in half cup of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly with this salt water solution for at least one minute. Repeat this several times in a day to get quicker relief.
NOTE: It is our duty to let you know that though salt water can be beneficial in treating gum diseases, some dentists argue that excessive use of salt water rinses can be harmful because the acidity of it can wear away the tooth enamel and result in chipping and cavities.
Conclusion:
If you have any kind of gum disease, then it would be a great idea to try the salt water rinse and look if you get any benefit out of it. However, make sure that if you do not find this remedy beneficial, do not delay in visiting your dentist and get yourself treated well. Apart from this, it is important for you to take good care of your teeth and avoid eating too much of sticky or sugary foods, so as to avoid developing gum disease.
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