Many of us are aware of the importance of keeping our teeth healthy. Not only does this prevent issues such as tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. However, research has linked poor oral hygiene to serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and dementia.
Therefore, it is vital to keep your teeth and mouths as healthy as possible.
This might be easier said than done as record numbers of Brits are struggling to get dental appointments.
According to the British Dental Association around 12 million of us are currently looking for an NHS dentist. At the same time around 90 percent of dental practices are no longer accepting new NHS adult patients.
And data from the House of Commons Library revealed that 40 percent of children didn’t have their recommended annual check-up last year.
With this in mind, one expert shared a cheap and short-term solution.
Speaking to The Mirror, dentist Dr Rahul Nehra – from The Smile Gallery – said: “In times when accessing dental care might be challenging due to waitlists or other limitations, maintaining good oral health becomes even more crucial.”
He recommended gargling salt water daily to help stave off potential oral problems.
“Fortunately, a simple and effective practice that can help keep your teeth and gums healthy is gargling salt water daily,” Dr Nehra said.
“This easy-to-do home remedy offers numerous benefits, serving as a temporary solution when professional dental care isn’t readily available.”
He explained the benefits. “Salt water has natural antibacterial properties that can help to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth,” he said.
“These bacteria can cause plaque buildup, leading to various dental issues like cavities and gum disease.”
Salt water can also help to reduce inflammation in the gums, which alleviates discomfort associated with conditions like gum disease, also known as gingivitis.
And it has healing properties, particularly with aiding minor oral wounds, such as mouth sores or cuts.
“The saline solution helps to cleanse the area and prevent infection, promoting faster healing,” he said.
With prices of many everyday goods such as mouthwash rising, salt water could be a more cost-effective solution.
Shoppers can buy salt for as little as 27p from Tesco and 65p from Aldi.
Dr Nehra added: “Incorporating the practice of gargling salt water into your daily oral hygiene routine can help maintain your oral health, especially during periods when accessing professional dental care may be challenging.
“It’s a simple yet effective way to promote a healthy mouth and alleviate some common dental concerns while waiting for a dentist appointment.”
To keep your teeth and mouths healthy, the NHS recommends:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Flossing
- Cutting back on sugar
- Have regular dental check-ups.
