Saltwater Gargling
Something as simple as a salt and water solution has the potential to address dental cavities effectively. This is not new information. As early as the 1960s, researchers have already observed the interesting relationship between sea salt and dental caries. While most people in the United States and other US-influenced territories know that their main fluoride source is tap water, people in Greece and India have been exposed to fluoride because of their sea salt consumption.
Sea salt naturally has fluoride. However, salt in the grocery stores has been fortified with fluoride and other essential nutrients such as iodine. Therefore, gargling with fluoridated salt is a good way to get fluoride exposure, which helps reverse the early signs of tooth decay.
Gargling with a saltwater solution also increases the mouth’s pH level, making it non-acidic and less hospitable for the growth of harmful microorganisms. A 2017 study compared the effectiveness of saltwater mouth rinsing with chlorhexidine mouth washing and found no significant difference in their ability to control pathogens and dental plaque development.
