3 Times to Rinse Your Mouth with Saltwater

25 January 2019
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Your dentist will often tell you that rinsing your mouth with salt water can be an effective way to deal with a handful of simple oral health issues, and may even give you specific instructions on how to prepare the saltwater. Generally, you'll want to use warm water, and then swish the water around in your mouth so that it passes over every surface before you spit it into the sink. Rinsing with saltwater is ideal because it is simple and quick, and can be a suitable tactic for everyone from children to seniors. Here are three times that you may want to rinse your mouth with salt water.

If Your New Braces Are Causing Discomfort

It can take a bit of time for your mouth to get used to wearing braces after you get them on. As you might expect, the metal brackets can feel a little rough against your gums, and you can experience some discomfort for a few days after you get your braces. Rinsing your mouth with salt water a couple of times a day, or as needed, when you find yourself in this situation can be a good idea. You'll find that the saltwater provides some relief from the discomfort, and it performs the bonus task of removing some food particles that are stuck in your braces.

After a Dental Cleaning

If you've just had a cleaning appointment at the dentist after not going to the dentist for a while, there's a good chance that the cleaning was vigorous. Your dental hygienist will have had to work hard to remove the tartar from along and below the gumline, and this can leave this part of your mouth feeling a little tender for a while. Rinsing with salt water can provide some relief for any discomfort that you're experiencing. It's also an effective bacteria-control measure, which means that it will help to remove bacteria from your mouth to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.

If You Have a Toothache

It's miserable to contend with a toothache, especially if you can't get in to see your dentist to have the issue looked at for a day or two. You'll likely be happy to know that rinsing with saltwater can have a powerful effect on a sore tooth and that this simple practice can go a long way toward reducing the ache that you feel. Remember that rinsing with saltwater isn't a permanent solution to a toothache, though. You still need to see your dentist.