I have a sharp chip in my tooth that created a cut in my mouth. My mother suggested I rinse my mouth with salt water so my sore doesn’t get infected. I’m concerned the salt water will damage my teeth. Is this true or should I follow my mother’s suggestion?
– Katrina from Louisiana

Dear Katrina,

Your mother offered a good solution for your problem. Salt water rinses don’t damage teeth; salt water solutions are known for promoting healing.

The best way to make this mixture is to measure one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Next, pour the mixture into your mouth and swish around the water, not swallowing but spitting it out. You want to use the whole glass and do this several times a day.

The salt solution doesn’t destroy many organisms in the mouth but it does deter them because it changes the PH balance in the mouth by temporarily making it more alkaline which slows down bacterial growth.

Salt water also soothes the mucosa in the mouth which is the soft tissues in the oral cavity. It also helps with canker sores, tissue irritation from dental treatment and cuts. Salt water treatment is a great solution to oral irritations.

This blog sponsored by Baton Rouge Family Dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.