Why is salt water good for wisdom teeth removal

Why is salt water good for wisdom teeth removal

When having oral surgery, you may be surprised to find that your surgeon recommends that you rinse your mouth with salt water after for proper healing. Wouldn’t salt water hurt the surgical area?

Salt water actually has natural healing properties and is beneficial after oral surgery is completed. Following simple directions to create your own rinse can help you to heal better, avoiding any infection or complications after surgery.

Salt Water Rinsing

To make a salt water rinse, all you need is salt water and warm water. Add ½ teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Take small sips and swish the solution around your mouth for ten seconds and then spit it out. Do this gently and at least two times a day after your surgery, up to three or four times as needed. This will help promote quicker healing for your surgical area.

Natural Healing Properties
Salt has natural healing properties and can assist with the healing of your mouth where the tooth or teeth were extracted. Blood flow is increased via the salt water rinse which helps the mouth to heal at a faster rate.

If any bacteria are present in your mouth, the salt will make it difficult for spores to breed. Bacteria levels are kept at a low rate which helps you to avoid becoming sick after surgery.

Salt rinse is also cost effective as you already have salt and water at home. You can easily mix up a solution and rinse your mouth whenever you feel it needs cleaning. Be sure to swish gently, especially if your mouth is extra sore or tender from the surgery.

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If you’ve ever lost a tooth or had a sore throat, you’ve likely heard of salt water rinses. Salt water rinses have a long history of benefiting oral health. Salt promotes healing and reduces pain, which is why dentists often recommend salt water rinses for patients suffering from sore gums, oral surgery, or other oral health problems.

How Do Salt Water Rinses Work?

Salt water rinses have anti-bacterial and healing properties that make them perfect for sore throats, sores, healing gum tissues, and more. Salt temporarily increases the pH level of the mouth, creating an alkaline environment. Since bacteria prefer an acidic environment, they find this type of environment difficult to survive in. This is how salt water mouth rinses can help keep bacteria from multiplying in your mouth.

Salt’s healing properties stem from the fact that it is an isotonic solution that contains an equal concentration of the minerals and salts naturally found in the body. Because of this, salt water rinses will not irritate the mucous membranes the way some medicinal mouthwashes do.

Salt Water Rinse Uses

To use salt water rinses for oral health, all you have to do is gently swish the solution for about 30 seconds.

  • Sore Throats — Salt water rinses reduce sore throat pain and help promote healing. Some causes of sore throat that salt water rinses offer pain relief to are tonsillitis, the common cold, and strep throat.
  • Healing from Oral Surgery — Salt water rinses can promote natural healing and reduce pain and swelling after oral surgery. Salt water creates an environment bacteria have trouble surviving, and decreases swelling by forcing moisture out from the cells in your mouth responsible for the swelling. This is why many dental professionals recommend salt water rinses for wisdom teeth removal pain relief.
  • Relieves Oral Pain — A majority of the discomfort you feel when you have a toothache, or other oral injury is due swelling. Salt water rinses help decrease swelling, therefore offering pain relief.
  • Aids in Gum Health and Soothes Bleeding Gums — If you have irritated or bleeding gums caused by toothaches, gingivitis, or canker sores, a salt water rinse can help manage the pain.

Making Your Salt Water Rinse

Salt water rinses are easy to use and make. You can use any type of salt for a salt water rinse, and add in baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, honey, or many add-ins for additional healing properties. Most salt water rinse recipes call for 8 ounces of warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt.If your mouth is tender and the salt water rinse is stinging, you can use ½ tsp of salt instead of a full teaspoon for the first day or two.

To make the salt water rinse, bring your water to a boil using a stove or microwave. Remove your water from the heat, then add your salt and stir. This is also where you can add in your honey, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda. Let the salt water cool to a warm temp before rinsing with it. Once you have finished your salt water rinse, you should discard any leftover solution to avoid contamination.

If you’re suffering from tooth pain and are thinking about resorting to salt water rinses, make sure you schedule an appointment with your dentist first. While salt water rinses are great for speeding up wound healing and decreasing mouth swelling, they won’t solve the root problem of your pain.

Williams, Daily & Frazier Dental is a family and cosmetic dentist in Raleigh, NC with a dedicated team of dentists, assistants, hygienists and administrators who are enthusiastic in their commitment to their patients. We offer dental implants, Invisalign teeth straightening, in-office and home teeth whitening options, and Oral-B electric toothbrushes.
Contact Williams, Daily & Frazier at (919) 846-9070 for more information and to schedule an appointment today.

Does salt water speed up healing after tooth extraction?

Using a saltwater rinse promotes proper healing, which helps speed up the tooth extraction recovery process. After getting a tooth pulled, cleaning your mouth is more difficult.

Why is salt water good after tooth extraction?

The salt water can inhibit the growth of bacteria that could cause an infection around the extraction site. In addition to that, it can help remove any debris that builds up in the mouth that can cause problems healing from the extraction. The salt also promotes healing too. Using a salt water rinse is easy.

What does salt water do for wisdom?

This is why many dental professionals recommend salt water rinses for wisdom teeth removal pain relief. Relieves Oral Pain — A majority of the discomfort you feel when you have a toothache, or other oral injury is due swelling. Salt water rinses help decrease swelling, therefore offering pain relief.

How long should I use salt water after tooth extraction?

A teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water gently rinsed around the socket twice a day can help to clean and heal the area. Keep this up for at least a week or for as long as your dentist tells you.