Salt Water Rinse VS Mouthwash: The Ultimate Guide

I was treating one of my long term patient’s, Helen from Taigum the other day. After her appointment, she asked “Darryl, how does a salt water rinse compare with dental mouthwashes?” It struck me. If Helen had this question after her many years of dental visits, others must be wondering about it too.

I've put together this comprehensive guide. To shed light on the salt water rinse versus mouthwash discussion for all your curious minds.

Understanding Salt Water Mouth Rinse

A salt water rinse is a simple mixture of table salt and warm water. Salt water rinses are an excellent short term treatment when you have wounds in the mouth. For example, when you’ve had teeth removed.

The reason they are so good is that the salt is not only a natural disinfectant. But it also removes any swelling from the gums. So using salt water post surgery, or if you have an infection or a mouth ulcer, works well in the healing process or in gum disease treatment Brisbane.

Making a Salt Water Mouth Rinse - Step by step guide

Making a salt water rinse at home is very, very simple. One of the reasons it is such a popular home remedy. It’s as easy as follows:

How to make a salt water rinse:

Step 1 - Fill a standard glass with lukewarm water

Step 2 - Into the glass, pour 2 to 3 teaspoons of salt

Step 3 - Mix together until the salt has dissolved

Step 4 - Gargle the water in your mouth for a minimum of 10 seconds. Be sure to try and swirl the water around the wound/affected area.

Step 5 - Spit the solution into the sink/basin and repeat as advised by your dentist

Benefits of Salt Water Rinses

Salt water rinses have a huge list of benefits to not only your oral health, but your overall health as well.

Natural Antiseptic - One of the main benefits of a salt water rinse is its antiseptic qualities. The saline solution can help to kill off harmful bacteria in the mouth. Reducing the risk of infections, gum disease, and bad breath.

Reduces Inflammation and Pain - Gargling salt water can help to soothe inflamed tissues. Making it a popular remedy for individuals with sore throats, mouth sores, or after dental procedures. The salt aids in reducing the swelling and alleviating discomfort.

Healing Properties - The rinse aids in the healing process, especially after dental surgeries or if one has mouth ulcers or sores. Its natural disinfecting ability helps prevent infections in cuts or wounds inside the mouth.

Affordable and Accessible - Unlike most over-the-counter mouthwashes, a salt water solution is cost-effective and can be made at home. This makes it an accessible option for many individuals across the globe.

Safe for Regular Use - There are no harsh chemicals in a saltwater rinse, making it safe for everyday use. It’s always recommended to use a well-balanced solution to ensure that the salt doesn’t become abrasive to teeth over time.

Salt Water Rinse Applications

I get so many questions from patient’s asking “can salt water rinse help with a toothache, bad breath, gum health”. I have made an easy go-to tick box of the things salt water rinse will and will not help with.

Dentist Recommended Mouthwash

Many of the mouthwashes you purchase over the counter actually don’t do much. Or, they have side effects you probably don’t want. Most of them contain elements of alcohol, some even as much as 20%. Which is huge. Not only does this leave a presence of alcohol on your breath, it increases the risk of mouth or oral cancer. Which is a growing problem here in Australia.

While salt water rinses do have an endless list of benefits, and is usually my first preference. There are a couple instances where a mouthwash may be the superior choice.

Antibacterial Mouthwashes

I generally only ever recommend two mouth rinses to my patients.

The first is Colgate NeutraFluor 220. This is useful for people with concerns of tooth decay. It is useful if you’ve had tooth decay in the past. It is also useful if you are over 40+ and have some gum recession. When the gums recede, the exposed part of the tooth decays 8 times quicker than if it wasn’t exposed.

For someone who’s trying to protect from decay, or is susceptible to gum problems they need a bacterial mouth rinse. The best mouthwash is Curasept. The reason it’s so good is that it won’t stain the teeth like many other chlorhexidine mouth rinses. It is also alcohol free and will not affect your taste.

Here are some of the most common questions I get around both mouthwash options.

Mouthwash for bad breath

Despite our best efforts with brushing and flossing. Sometimes we just need a little extra help getting that fresh minty breath. So, there is a mouthwash I recommend to help with ‘bad breath ’. It’s called Oxyfresh.

This mouthwash might be your ideal choice if you're in search of a natural alternative with a unique flavour. Featuring an exclusive blend of zinc and Oxygene®, it combines the taste of lemon mint with the benefits of aloe vera, xylitol as a natural sweetener, and essential oils.

Benefits:

• A straightforward, safe, and reliable oral care option
• Demonstrated effectiveness in reducing harmful breath germs by 85%
• Contributes to the enhancement of gum health

Drawbacks:

Its distinctive lemon-mint taste may not appeal to everyone.

In conclusion…

Salt water rinse is a timeless and effective solution for many oral health concerns. It offers many benefits, from fighting bacteria to reducing inflammation. It remains a favourite go-to remedy for many.

As with any oral care routine, it's important to have regular dental check up Brisbane. And proper oral hygiene practices.