Modern medicine has come up with many products to help people maintain their health. When it comes to taking care of your teeth and gums, there are shelves full of products to turn to. Despite the best efforts, some people will still develop gum disease!
While there are medicines to treat gum disease, one of the best forms of treatment is one of the oldest. It does not require a trip to the pharmacy to get the ingredients. It involves two things found in almost every home. Those two things are salt and water.
What Is Gum Disease?
Do you have red, receding, or tender gums? Are your teeth sensitive? Have you noticed pockets forming between your gums and your teeth? These are all telltale signs of gum disease. When allowed to flourish, those bacteria can cause gum disease, or periodontal disease. Though this may begin as minor oral discomfort, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, jawbone recession, and even serious whole-body health problems like cardiovascular disease.
The Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Receding gums
- Deep pockets between gums and teeth
- Heightened tooth sensitivity
- Loose or shifting teeth
How to Rinse with Salt Water
The key to using salt water to help with gum disease is knowing how to do it. We recommend mixing about a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water. Rinsing with salt water does not mean swallowing it. Instead, take the salt water in the mouth and move it around for 15 to 30 seconds. When done rinsing, spit out the salt water.
Repeat the rinsing 2 to 3 times a day. Overuse of rinsing with salt water can damage the enamel and lead to more problems.
What it Does
Salt is a natural disinfectant. Rinsing with salt water does a few things.
| • | Removes any loose debris and helps clean the teeth and gums. The process of rinsing can remove some of the food or other particles on the teeth and gums. |
| • | Helps with Healing – Saltwater can help heal the damage caused by gum disease. |
| • | Reduces Inflammation – The warm salt water rinse is an effective way to reduce the inflammation and swelling associated with gum disease. |
Saltwater rinses can help with the treatment for gum disease, but it cannot fix the problems on its own. That requires the help of our dental professionals and other good oral hygiene habits.
Looking For Advice?
Call our dentist, Dr. Andrew J. Weber, in our office in New Braunfels, TX now to learn more about gum disease and the possible treatments that you can undergo! We offer LANAP® in office for any dental patients suffering from gum disease, being a minimally invasive option for treating your pain and sensitivites! Schedule your consultation today!
