Salt, simple salt. It makes our food taste better, melts snow on our roads and preserves our food.  What is even more astonishing, is that now we find that it also has hidden healing and pain relief powers, especially when it comes to dental health.

The use of salt for health care purposes has a long and productive history. The Science Tribune makes references to the Ancient Egyptians. providing recipes for a range of medicinal treatments using salt, particularity with infections. The ancient Greeks used salt for similar purposes, and already discovered, more than 2,000 years ago. that salt had anti-inflammatory effects.

Fast forward to modern day with an international study performed in 2016.  In this study, researchers wanted to confirm what the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and traditional medicine all had in common: Salt promotes healing of oral wounds through anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Other studies from Manchester University in 2012 also found similar results.

HOW DOES SALT WORK?

Reading our previous blog on “What Causes a Cavity“, we know that cavities, the source of most oral pain, are caused by bacteria that breaks down the minerals in your tooth creating a hole.  Salt reduces this bacteria by temporarily increasing the PH balance in your mouth, creating an alkaline environment in which bacteria struggle to survive.

With the reduction in bacteria, also causes a reduction in inflammation, the true source of your pain! 

RELIEF, NOT A CURE

Of course salt can not cure the cause of your oral pain, a hole in your tooth, but it can help temporarily relieve the pain prior to get a professional dentist to solve the problem. 

THE SALT SOLUTION RECIPE

1. Add add one teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water and stir.
2. Sip the mixture and gargling through-out the mouth for 30 seconds
3. Spit it out.  Do not swallow! 
4. Repeat until the glass is empty.  

For help in healing after oral surgery, repeat this procedure every two to three hours, the first few days after surgery and then use it three to four times a day thereafter.

REGULAR USE

Salt solutions can also be used as an addition to daily brushing and flossing.  However, using the solution too often on a long term basis can adversely impact your oral health by drying your gums causing them to receded.   2-3 times a week is recommended.

Here’s to your health!