Oral health plays a significant role in a person's well-being. Sparkling, white, and healthy teeth not only help in boosting confidence but are also an indicator of perfect oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, and on-time visits to the dentist are essential factors of the dental hygiene routine. Since childhood, we have been advised to brush our teeth with toothpaste, and that routine is now a standard part of our life. Toothpaste is also a unique item on our shopping list. But nowadays, many other things are now being preferred by people for brushing teeth in place of toothpaste.

Salt, a crucial household ingredient, is now being considered for brushing teeth. Some say salt has good teeth cleaning properties and is suitable for gums.

Benefits of salt for teeth

• The dominant part of the salt is a mineral that helps keep teeth healthy and strong.
• Many people are affected by tooth decay, a major dental issue. It is caused because of high consumption of sugar, plaque accumulation, and an imbalance of pH in your mouth. When you brush your teeth using salt such as sea salt, it decreases the mouth's acidic content and has a balancing effect on the pH level, thereby prohibiting tooth decay.
• Many essential minerals are found in salt, which are vital for keeping your gums and teeth strong and healthy. So, it's natural if you brush your teeth regularly using salt it will help in protecting your gums and teeth health.
• Salt is famous because of its anti-inflammatory properties. So, when you brush your teeth by making use of salt, it offers you relief from toothache and swollen gums that are caused by inflammation.
• Salt and lukewarm water act like a mouthwash that can efficiently solve the issue of bad breath.
• Salt is slightly abrasive, for which it can quickly eliminate plaque and other such remnants from your teeth when used as a cleaning powder. In addition, salt has antibacterial properties, making it one of the best additives in several toothpaste brands.

Can you use salt as an alternative to toothpaste?

The medicinal value of salt is intense and well-known. But can you use it as an adjuvant to your toothpaste?

Salt is effective for cleaning teeth and gums and maintaining oral cleanliness, but you cannot use it as a substitute for oral care products. When your teeth are intensely stained, it can decrease the staining intensity, but it will not offer you the sparkling white teeth required. In addition, the latest oral products have many ingredients like fluoride that enhance oral health. Many toothpaste manufacturers now include salt if you still want to use salt in your oral care routine. You can look for such varieties.

Salt can enhance overall oral health. But it can't be used as an alternative to fluoride in toothpaste. If you want to make salt a part of your daily oral care regimen, you should ensure that fluoride is also part of it. Applying common salt to your teeth will do more harm than good. Some studies have proved that using a salt paste on your teeth to eliminate stains can permanently damage your tooth enamel. Therefore, being careful is highly recommended while including any natural ingredients in your daily oral health regimen. But if you rinse your mouth using salt water, it has many benefits, and it's ok to make it part of your daily oral health regimen. Saltwater also assists in easing the canker sores' pain and other oral wounds. Other than that, it's better to use toothpaste approved by a dentist in your daily oral hygiene routine.

Side effects of using salt as a part of daily oral care regimen

Salt helps in whitening your teeth, but they also have abrasive properties. When you rub salt on your teeth, it will scrape away the tartar and other stains in your teeth. But the problem here is this abrasive impact can hurt your enamel which becomes highly susceptible to damage when you rub salt on the tooth surface. 

Abrasions in your enamel can lead to dental issues as your teeth get exposed to dentin. The dentin does not have the same strength as the outer enamel so you will have increased tooth sensitivity. It becomes challenging for you to relish hot or cold food and drinks. Your dentin is also more yellow than the enamel, which means when your enamel becomes abrasive, your teeth look more yellowish if they are not covered with any restoration like veneers or crowns.

Conclusion

Salt has been used for centuries as one of the best ways to clean your teeth and enhance oral hygiene. It is one of the potent antibacterial agents, and it can assist in removing plaque as well as bacteria from your teeth and gums. However, considering its several side effects, it is always best to see your dentist and discuss with them whether to use salt for your teeth or not. MyDentalPlan is one place where you can get several dentists for consulting.

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

• C.M Academy
• Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.