Salt is not only a kitchen staple, but it can also be a powerful tool in promoting oral hygiene and can be used to make different types of salt mouthwash. This versatile ingredient has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a wide range of oral health issues, from reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria to freshening breath and soothing toothaches.
I’ve been a salt enthusiast (yeah, it’s a thing) for most of my life, but I’m just recently getting into some other home remedies that use essential oils, so I thought I’d look into combining the two. I also have distant childhood memories about In this article, I’ll be exploring some clever and unexpected ways to use salt to create various mouth rinses, from simple saltwater rinses to more complex blends with other ingredients.
Whether you’re looking to improve your overall oral health or simply want to freshen up your breath, you’re sure to find some useful tips and tricks in this post that will help you get the most out of this humble and powerful ingredient. So, let’s dive in and discover the many benefits of using salt in your oral care routine!
Using Salt as an Oral Rinse
I have distant childhood memories of being encouraged to gargle with salted water whenever I had a sore throat. Do you know what? It actually worked. The salt soothed the soreness right away. The theory is that coating your mouth with a saline solution makes for an inhospitable environment for viruses and bacteria, in particular by raising the pH on mouth tissues and gums. There is even a scientific study I found that examined this: Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections by Gargling.
You can certainly just go with a simple saltwater rinse, but combining the salt water with everything from mixing with peppermint oil to soothe gums to mixing with turmeric to help with inflammation, seems like it can enhance the effect, or at least make gargling more interesting. Here is a list of 9 ways to use salt as a mouth rinse and I answer a few follow-up questions at the end. Check it out!
Natural Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater rinse is a simple yet powerful tool to help keep your oral hygiene up to par. Not only does salt reduce inflammation and fight pesky bacteria in the mouth, but it also leaves you with fresh breath all day long! To make and use a saltwater rinse, follow these steps:
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container. Any culinary salt that you have will do: table salt, sea salt, kosher salt, and so on.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution for about 30 seconds to a minute. If you are also trying to coat your throat, tip your chin up in the air and gargle (expel air out of your lungs to keep the water from entering your airway). Try not to swallow any of the saltwater.
- Spit out the solution. Rinsing your mouth with plain water to remove any remaining salt is optional.
- Repeat the process if desired, or as directed by your dental professional.
When I was a kid, moms and dads encouraged you to take a mouthful, gargle, spit it into the sink, then repeat until the entire glass was used up. Not fun, but it did help.
Just remember that saltwater rinse should not be your sole form of dental care, but rather complemented with routine brushing and flossing. If you’re struggling with any symptoms related to your teeth, gums, or mouth, please consult a professional before utilizing any oral hygiene products, DIY or over the counter.
Turmeric and Salt
Keep your breath fresh and mouth healthy with the easy-to-use turmeric and salt rinse. This natural remedy is a powerful weapon in reducing inflammation, as well as combating bacteria to promote optimal oral hygiene.
Turmeric has been clinically proven to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce gum and oral inflammation.
To make turmeric and salt rinse, follow these steps:
- Mix a pinch of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. The turmeric will just be dispersed, rather than completely dissolved.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
To ensure that you’re taking the utmost care of your teeth and gums, consult with a dental professional before using any oral hygiene products. Additionally, be aware of the possibility for turmeric to stain both teeth and gums. Iit’s best to practice restraint when incorporating this spice into your diet. A little goes a long way.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Salt
If you’re searching for an easy and reliable way to care for your oral health, hydrogen peroxide and salt rinse is the perfect solution. Not only will it help combat bacteria in your mouth, but its antiseptic properties can also refresh your breath! Hydrogen peroxide has natural antibacterial elements while salt is naturally antimicrobial, working together to protect against germs that could potentially cause harm.
Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that hydrogen peroxide should not be used in strong concentrations and must always be mixed with water before use. To make hydrogen peroxide and salt rinse, follow these steps:
- Mix 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 cup of warm water in a glass or a small container. This ends up with the hydrogen peroxide concentration at 1.5%, which is the recommended amount for a mouth rinse. If you have some other concentration of hydrogen peroxide available, you will need to do math :(
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
Before doing a full mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide, it’s prudent to test the solution on a small area of your body or touch a drop to your lips and observe any reactions. This is important since some people may experience irritation or sensitivity when using this product.
Baking Soda and Water
An effortless yet powerful way to promote oral health can be using Baking Soda, a salt called Sodium Bicarbonate. It can neutralize acids in the mouth, which may result in reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Baking soda is mildly alkaline (pH of 9) and can help maintain a balanced pH in the mouth, which can promote a healthy oral microbiome.
Simple steps to make this mouth rinse:
- Mix 3 Tablespoons of Baking Soda with a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the Baking Soda is completely dissolved.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
To learn more about why Baking Soda is a salt, and about other common household salts, see What Is Salt?
Clove Oil and Salt
Maintaining adequate oral hygiene doesn’t have to be a hassle. Clove oil and salt rinses are an easy-to-implement solution that not only freshens breath but also helps reduce toothaches! Clove oil has long been recognized for its natural pain-relieving properties as well as anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. While the added salt acts as a powerful antimicrobial agent to fight bacteria in your mouth.
Nevertheless, it is essential to be mindful that clove oil must be diluted before use. To make a potent and effective clove oil salt rinse, simply follow these steps:
- Mix a few drops of clove oil (usually 2-3 drops) with a teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
Just remember, prolonged use of clove essential oil can be detrimental to the gums and oral mucosa, so it is not recommended to make this rinse your daily one.
Salt and Lemon
Enhancing your oral hygiene is made effortless and efficient with a salt and lemon rinse. Not only can the power of lemon juice, rich in citric acid, help to remove surface discoloration on teeth while brightening them up, but its combined force with salt’s natural antimicrobial properties will fend off any pesky bacteria lurking around your mouth. With this one-two punch of freshening ingredients readily available at home, you’ll be ready to show off that pearly white smile!
Yet, be mindful that lemon juice can be strongly acidic and may spark irritation or sensitivity for some people. To make a salt and lemon rinse, just follow these steps:
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with the juice of half a lemon and a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
While this rinse can be beneficial, it’s important to use it as an occasional treatment and not too often; the acidity in lemon juice may cause irritation when used at this concentration.
Lemon in your water (without the salt), is considered good for hydration. The juice from a single slice or wedge in your drinking water can improve the flavor and contribute to oral hygiene.
Salt and Peppermint Oil
An invigorating salt and peppermint rinse is a simple yet highly effective tool for keeping your mouth clean. The essential oils of mint gives you fresh breath and can help reduce inflammation in sore gums. Peppermint oil, particularly, has an energizing quality as well as natural pain-relieving properties to offer relief from gum discomfort. This easy remedy can make all the difference in maintaining good oral hygiene!
Make your breath minty-fresh with a simple salt and peppermint rinse. it’s easy to make, plus the antimicrobial properties of salt fight off bacteria in the mouth. All you need to do is follow these steps:
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with a few drops of peppermint essential oil (usually 2-3 drops) and a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
It’s vital to use only pure essential peppermint oil and not synthetic flavoring or fragrance.
Salt and Neem Leaf Oil
For a natural and effective way of maintaining oral health, why not try a salt and neem leaf rinse? This simple remedy utilizes the antimicrobial properties of both salt and neem leaves to reduce inflammation in your mouth. Neem has been an Ayurvedic medicine staple for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving characteristics. Plus, it’s known to be beneficial in treating common dental issues such as gingivitis, plaque buildup, or bad breath!
Salt is a powerful antibacterial agent, defending your mouth from harmful bacteria. To leverage its benefits to the fullest extent, try this salt and neem leaf rinse:
- Take a few fresh neem leaves and crush them to release their juice.
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with the crushed neem leaves and a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. You may want to strain the neem leaves from the mixture using a fine sieve or cheesecloth before using it.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
If you are considering a full mouth rinse with neem leaves, it is best to conduct a patch test on a small area of your skin beforehand. Monitor the reaction closely to prevent any allergic reactions that may occur.
Salt and Sage
Freshening your breath and protecting against potential oral infections has never been simpler than with a salt and sage rinse. The astringent properties of the sage are renowned for their antimicrobial effects, while the salt helps to keep bacteria in check, making this an ancient yet powerful remedy for maintaining good oral health.
Combat bacteria in your mouth using an easy-to-make salt and sage rinse. Here are the steps to make it:
- Take a few fresh sage leaves and crush them to release their juice.
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with the crushed sage leaves and a cup of warm water in a glass or a small container.
- Stir the mixture until the salt is completely dissolved. You may want to strain the sage leaves from the mixture using a fine sieve or cheesecloth before using it.
- Rinse and/or gargle as described in the Natural Saltwater Rinse above.
If you have any potential allergies, be sure to take precautions and test-run a small amount of the product on your skin before rinsing out your mouth with it. Carefully monitor any reactions that may occur and proceed with caution accordingly.
Is It Okay To Rinse Your Mouth With Salt?
Keeping your mouth clean is essential to good oral hygiene, and a well-known practice for achieving this goal is rinsing with salt water. Salt has disinfectant features that help eliminate bacteria in the mouth, giving you fresher breath, healthier gums, and a lesser risk of dental infections.
Additionally, it contains natural anti-inflammatory agents that can ease any swelling or discomfort in your gum line or other parts of the mouth area.
Before using salt-based rinses, individuals struggling with high blood pressure or following a sodium-restricted diet should consult their physician.
Does A Salt Water Rinse Remove Bacteria?
In general, rinsing your mouth with salt water helps to kill off the bacteria and reduce the risk of various issues. The salt in the rinse acts as a natural anti-microbial, which can help to kill off the bacteria in the mouth.
It’s important to remember that salt water rinses should not be used as a replacement for regular oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing. Saltwater cannot remove plaque or tartar from the teeth, so it is essential to have these removed by professionals like dentists and dental hygienists.
Is It Better To Rinse Your Mouth With Salt Water Or Mouthwash?
Rinsing your mouth with salt water and mouthwash are both common practices for maintaining oral hygiene. Both options have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Benefits of a Salt Water Rinse
- Simple and Effective
- Natural Anti-microbial
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Natural (and you know for sure what all the ingredients are!)
- Inexpensive
- Easy to Make
Benefits of Over-the-Counter Mouth Wash
- Sometimes More Effective at Killing Bacteria
- Freshens Breath
- May have Fluoride
- Various Flavors
It’s important to keep in mind that mouthwash should be used alongside regular brushing and flossing – not as a replacement. For those who experience dry mouth or allergic reactions to certain ingredients, salt water rinse may provide relief. Consequently, individuals with these sensitivities must select an appropriate alternative when necessary.
Salt can have great benefits for other hygiene tasks and health endeavors. Other articles that may be of interest include:
- Sea Salt Spray: Texture Your Hair!
- Beyond the Shaker: 11 Bathroom Uses for Salt
- Unwind and De-Stress: 9 Ways to Use Epsom Salt in Your Bath
Featured Photo by Ivan Prokhorov.
