Gargling With Saltwater is a Cheap, Safe, and Effective Way to Help Your Throat

A saltwater gargle is an effective home remedy for sore throats and other culprits of mouth pain. These simple mixes of water and table salt are cheap, safe, and a very effective alternative to prescription and medicated mouthwashes and are useful for many conditions.

Sore Throats

Saltwater gargles relieve the discomfort associated with a sore throat. It is highly recommended for soothing sore throats while keeping the mouth clean and preventing infections.

Canker Sores

These sores are painful ulcers that develop in the mouth. Gargling with saltwater may help to ease the pain and promote healing of the lesions.

Allergies

Allergies such as hay fever cause nasal passages and throats to swell. Gargling with saltwater will not avert the allergy, but it can help to alleviate the throat pain associated with the allergy.

Respiratory Infections

The upper respiratory infections such as common colds, the flu, and sinus infections respond well to saltwater gargling, and the process may even help with the prevention of upper respiratory infections.

Dental Health

Saltwater gargling removes bacteria from gums, which can help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar, which can promote gum disease and tooth deterioration.

Saltwater gargles are useful for treating mild pain and discomfort in the mouth and the throat. A few other uses for a saltwater gargle include the following:

• Maintains the natural PH level
• Clears mucus
• Fights candidiasis
• Cleans the mouth
• Eases tonsillitis
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Oral infection
• Mouth sores

How Does It Work

The answer is the chemical process of osmosis, which is the flow of fluid from a more concentrated area to a lower concentrated area while passing through a semipermeable membrane. This process is what happens when saltwater comes in contact with bacteria. During gargling, the process of osmosis dehydrates the bacteria thereby substantially minimizing the effects of the bacteria. The pH balance restores as saltwater reduces the swelling caused by the bacteria.

How To Gargle With Saltwater

It is best to gargle 1-3 times per day for a few days to help an irritated and scratchy throat. The recipe for an effective saltwater gargle includes half a teaspoon of salt added to an eight-ounce glass of warm water. Gargle in the following manner:

• Take a small mouthful of the saltwater and swish around in the mouth for ten to thirty seconds.
• Spit the water out.
• Take another small mouthful.
• Push air upwards from throat for about 10 seconds.
• Spit the water out.
• Continue gargling until symptoms resolve.
• To simplify the removal of mucus from the throat, try massaging the throat while gargling.
• The frequency of gargling depends upon your symptoms.

Possible Risks

Although gargling with saltwater is generally safe for both adults and children, people who have trouble gargling should not use a saltwater solution. Saltwater gargles are safe to use numerous times a day if necessary, and for the most part, there are no side effects. Those people with high blood pressure or those who have medical conditions that call for limited sodium intake should speak with their healthcare professional before gargling. Those individuals who do not like the taste of saltwater can add honey or garlic to improve the flavor.