Gargling
with warm salt water is a time-tested home remedy for all types of problems in
your mouth and throat, and it always works wonders and is easy to use on the go.
Every time you suffer from a sore throat or cold or sinus infection, you have advised saltwater gargles for relief. Saltwater gargles are also useful
when you are having allergies and other health imbalances. A regular
gargle gives relief from certain infections and prevents them from getting worse.
Furthermore, preparing for a saltwater gargle is very simple, all you need is
warm water and salt and in no time you're done. This is an age-old remedy for a
number of oral health issues. As per United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a 0.9% salt water solution (normal saline) has used for cleansing of wounds.
Why Is Salt Water Gargle Effective?
According to
some research findings warm salt water helps in drawing water from oral
tissues by creating a salt barrier that pushes water and harmful pathogens and
prevents them from getting back inside. This is why saltwater is so effective
in fighting infection and avert bacterial growth. Saltwater gargle reduces the incidence of infections in the mouth and throat by blocking viruses and pathogenic
bacteria.
Following
Are The Health Benefits Of Salt Water Gargle:
1.
SORE THROAT
Saltwater
has an anti-inflammatory property. Saltwater gargle is very effective in
relieving throat pain especially for treating sore throats during cold or flu.
It relieves the inflamed throat by reducing the inflammatory fluids through
osmosis. This way, along with the fluid, the bacteria responsible for inflammation also flows out.
Sore throat is treated gradually with regular usage of saltwater for gargling.
Allergy is
generally associated with sneezing, cough, and throat irritation. Sometimes
allergic reactions can cause a sore throat and
saltwater has an amazing ability to get relief from this allergic
reaction.
3.
CLEARS MUCUS
Cough is
always come with by mucus accumulation in the nasal cavity and throat and this
accumulated mucus is expectorated when you cough or sneeze. Saltwater gargle
can reduce the viscosity of mucus and make it easy to flow out. This way it
gives you relief from nasal congestion and clears the throat during cough.
4.
PREVENTION OF FLU
According to
a recent study conducted (2013) on non-medical prevention methods for
preventing re-infections of flu, salt water gargle is found to be more
effective than vaccinations for the flu. Saltwater gargle reduces the severity of
viral and bacterial infections in the flu and preventing its spread.
5.
MOUTH-WASH
Now that we
have so many brands having their own line of mouthwashes, but people relied on
saltwater gargles when there were no mouthwashes. But some people still use
salt water for gargling since it is effective and saves money. Gargling with
salt water is a good alternative to mouthwash it freshens breath, soothes
inflammation and mouth sores, and kills opportunistic bacteria in the mouth that
are about to grow and invade.
Saltwater
is an effective homemade mouth rinse to eliminate and prevent bad breath. Saltwater helps to balance the level of acid that contributes to bad breath. Oral
bacteria are also responsible for this annoying foul-smelling; Use saltwater
gargling after every meal to freshen up your breath or at least two times a day
to curb these foul-smelling bacterial development in your mouth.
7.
MOUTH ULCERS
8.
ORAL INFECTION
When our
immunity gets suppressed or low due to any other reason, opportunistic bacteria
grow in our mouth and causes oral infection. Saltwater gargling can be helping you get rid of oral infection by inhibiting the growth of infection-causing
bacteria. The warm water also produces a soothing sensation and sense of
relief, while the salt may help keep the area clean and inhibit bacterial
growth.
9.
BLEEDING GUMS AND DENTAL HEALTH
Saltwater
gargle helps in the protection of gums and is hence good for dental health. It also
helps in keeping gingivitis and cavities at bay. It also brings down the number
of bacteria in saliva. Bleeding gums is the first sign of gum disease.
Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salt help to stop the
bleeding gums problem. Moreover, it draws infection out of an abscess which is
the main breeding ground for bacteria.
10. MAINTAIN 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 pathogenic bacteria from thriving in your mouth and throat. This way
saline water gargle keeps you safe from infections. So it is important to make
saltwater gargling a habit of gargling with salt water whether you have an
infection or not.
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How to prepare saltwater and gargle with it
Add 1
teaspoon salt in 1 cup water and let it dissolve. Warm this solution. Saltwater is most effective when it is warm. Use this water to gargle at the back
of the throat for as long as possible. After that swish the water around the
mouth and teeth. Repeat this until all the water is finished. Spit it out and
do not swallow.
It is best to spit out the saline water during infections,. Consuming too much saltwater can cause dehydration. Drinking too much salt water can also lead to
calcium deficiency in the body along with high blood pressure.
Usually, it is
recommended gargling for two times in a day. But you can gargle more times if
you feel necessary.
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