Posted by 
Salt water gargles are a cheap, easy, and natural alternative to medicated mouthwashes. Gargling with salt water can help clean the mouth and ease symptoms of sore throats, mouth sores, allergies, and dental procedures. A saltwater gargle is a home remedy for sore throats and other causes of mouth pain.
Saltwater solutions are a simple mix of water and table salt and can be a cheap, safe, and effective alternative to medicated mouthwashes. Saltwater solutions are not well studied. A small study from 2010 of 45 children investigated the effectiveness of a saline saltwater gargle and a mouthwash containing alum.
The researchers reported that children who used one of the saltwater gargles twice daily for 21 days had significantly reduced levels of mouth bacteria, compared with children who used a placebo. However, the saltwater gargle was not as effective at reducing bacteria as the alum mouthwash. Alum, which is potassiumaluminum sulfate, is an active ingredient in some medicated mouthwashes.
Doctors and dentists often recommend saltwater gargles to help alleviate mouth and throat pain.To use the saltwater gargle: Take as much of the solution into the mouth as is comfortable. Gargle the salt water around the back of the throat. Rinse around the mouth, teeth, and gums.
Spit out the solution.
A person should try to gargle the saltwater solution for as long as possible. Although the saltwater solution is generally safe to swallow, it is best to spit it out. For maximum effectiveness, a person should gargle with salt water once or twice a day.
People recovering from dental procedures can use a saltwater solution to rinse their mouth. However, for the first few days, they should rinse very gently to prevent scabs from opening up, and follow the directions from their dental professional.
To use the saltwater gargle:
- Take as much of the solution into the mouth as is comfortable.
- Gargle the salt water around the back of the throat.
- Rinse around the mouth, teeth, and gums.
- Spit out the solution.
A person should try to gargle the saltwater solution for as long as possible. Although the saltwater solution is generally safe to swallow, it is best to spit it out. For maximum effectiveness, a person should gargle with salt water once or twice a day.
People recovering from dental procedures can use a saltwater solution to rinse their mouth. However, for the first few days, they should rinse very gently to prevent scabs from opening up, and follow the directions from their dental professional.