There are a lot of home remedies for toothaches out there, but does salt water actually help? Many people believe that it does, while others say that it made their toothache worse. So what’s the truth? In theory, salt is believed to have some benefits for toothaches. However, in reality, it does not have enough of a benefit for us to recommend using it. In this article, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of using salt water for toothache relief.
Why do Dentists Recommend Salt Water Wash for Toothaches?
The most common reason that dentists recommend salt water washes for toothaches is because of the belief that it can help promote healing. This is because salt water has been hypothesized to help increase blood flow and facilitate the movement of phagocytes (cells that help to remove bacteria) to the area where the toothache is. Additionally, it is believed that salt water can also help to lower the number of bacteria present in the mouth by slightly alkalizing saliva. Finally, salt water also has astringent and bacteriostatic properties, which means that it can help to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
However, despite the wide use of salt water rinses for toothaches, there is very little published scientific evidence to support the claims that it is effective. In fact, many studies have shown that there are zero benefits to using salt water rinses for dental pain compared to just keeping up with regular brushing and flossing.
This is because the amount of salt in salt water is not high enough to have a significant impact on the mouth. Yes, salt water does have the properties we listed above. Yes, it can help to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. But you would need to use a much higher concentration of salt water in order to see any benefit, but this would also be incredibly painful.
So while salt water may have some benefits, it is not effective enough to recommend using it for toothache relief. If you are looking for something to help with the pain, we recommend trying over-the-counter pain medication or topical numbing agents. As always, if you are concerned about your dental health, please consult with your dentist.
Will Rinsing with Salt Water Make a Toothache Worse?
For some people, salt water may help to provide temporary relief from the pain of a toothache, if only through a placebo effect (aka all in your head). If someone really wants to try salt water for their toothache, it isn’t usually something dentists are against. However, there are some people who may find that salt water actually makes their toothache worse.
This is because salt water can irritate already inflamed tissue and make it more painful. If you have ever accidentally gotten salt water up your nose or rubbed salt into a wound, you know that it can be incredibly irritating. The same goes for open wounds in the mouth. If you have any of the following, salt water may make your toothache worse:
Using Salt Water on an Open Cavity
Rinsing with salt water will cause some pain to a tooth if the tooth has a very big cavity that is exposed to the rest of the mouth. This is due to the fact that dentine is exposed within the tooth’s interior. Dentin lies beneath the tooth’s enamel and is a more sensitive tissue. When stimulated by salt water, it can send pain signals to the brain that result in a toothache.
Using Salt Water on Broken Crown
If you have a tooth that is capped with a crown, and that crown falls off or is not placed correctly, salt water can cause pain. This is assuming that the tooth underneath your crown has not undergone a root canal, which means that it is still alive. If the tooth is still alive, salt water can cause pain and discomfort as it will be touching an exposed nerve. This goes hand in hand with the previous point, as an exposed nerve is also more sensitive to salt water.
Using Salt Water on an Exposed Nerve
This is similar to the previous point, but can also happen if you have a cracked tooth. If you have a crack in your tooth that goes all the way down to the nerve, salt water can cause pain. This is because you are essentially irrigating the nerve with salt water, which is very irritating. If you have any other open wounds in your mouth. This includes things like canker sores, ulcers, or any other kind of open wound. Saltwater can irritate these wounds and make them more painful.
If you have any of the above, we recommend avoiding salt water rinses altogether. In fact, if you have any of the above, it is best to consult with your dentist as they can help to determine the best course of treatment and alleviate your pain.
How to Rinse with Salt Water for a Toothache
As we stated previously, salt water is not something we recommend using for toothache relief. It’s unlikely to provide any benefits to your oral health. It is also equally unlikely to harm your oral health. However, if you still want to give it a try, make sure you do it safely.
- Fill up an 8 oz glass with room temperature water.
- Dissolve a teaspoon of table salt into the water by stirring.
- Rinse for at least 30 seconds but you may rinse for up to 2 minutes.
- Spit out the mixture.
- You may repeat these steps several times a day as needed.
Make sure you do not swallow the saltwater mixture as it can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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