When should you gargle with salt water?

Gargling with salt water is a popular home treatment that helps relieve sore throats, colds, and mouth ulcers.

Associate Professor Michael Lerner (Yale University School of Medicine, USA) said that the advantage of salt water compared to alcoholic mouthwash is that salt water is less abrasive or irritates the throat mucosa.

You can gargle with salt water for about 10-15 seconds, 2-3 times a day.

Gargling with salt water helps reduce sore throat and prevent respiratory diseases.

Associate Professor Michael Lerner lists 4 benefits of rinsing your mouth with salt water properly at home as follows:

Reduces sore throats and clears nasal passages: Conditions such as sinus infections, congestion, and tonsillitis can cause inflammation and sore throat.

Preventing upper respiratory tract infections: Associate Professor Michael Lerner recommends gargling with warm salt water for people suffering from symptoms of a sore throat, especially for those suspected of having an upper respiratory tract infection caused by

Reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth: Gargling with salt can reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and the risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis and gingivitis.

Cleans remaining food particles: Similar to mouthwash, salt water gargle can remove food particles in the mouth after eating and limit dental plaque, the colorless or yellow film of bacteria.

Gargling with salt water after meals can help wash food debris out of the tonsils, which can sometimes prevent the formation of tonsil stones.

To make salt water at home, you should use purified, filtered, or distilled water because tap water may contain contaminants.

Some people add ginger, lemon or honey to improve the taste.

Although saline solution is likely safe if swallowed, it is best to spit it out.

According to Medical News Today (USA), people who are recovering from dental procedures can use a salt water solution to gargle.