What Are the Benefits of Gargling with Diluted Salt Water?

Regularly gargling with dilute salt water can effectively clean the oral mucosa, reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth, and lower the risk of oral diseases. However, it should be noted that although gargling with dilute salt water can help clean the mouth and teeth to a certain extent, its cleaning effect is still inferior to brushing teeth. Therefore, gargling cannot be used as a substitute for brushing teeth.

1. Gargling with dilute salt water can effectively clean the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. After eating, especially spicy and stimulating foods such as alcohol, hot pot, or chili peppers, these foods can continuously irritate the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, causing inflammation and congestion. Gargling after eating these foods can effectively reduce their residue in the oral and pharyngeal cavity, thereby effectively reducing their irritation to the mucosa.

2. Reducing bacterial growth: Sometimes sweet foods can be good bacterial culture media, which can lead to oral and pharyngeal infections. Gargling with dilute salt water can reduce the residue of food debris such as sweet foods, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial growth and infection.

Gargling cannot replace brushing teeth. Although gargling with dilute salt water may inhibit the growth of plaque, it cannot replace the mechanical elimination of plaque by brushing teeth. It can only be used as an auxiliary means of daily oral care in addition to brushing teeth. The effect of gargling is related to the amount of gargle solution used, the force of gargling, and the number of gargling repetitions.