Is Salt Risky For Oral Health?

By Author: Jay Lopez
Total Articles: 55
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When you think of oral health threats, sugar likely tops your list. The white carb can cause decay, gum disease, and worse. That said, have you wondered if salt is bad for your smile? A high-sodium diet has health risks, but an unhealthy grin may not be one of them. Very few bring up the matter. In truth, though, salt has upsides and downsides for your mouth. Read on to learn a few of each and how to balance saltiness in your life.

Salt Has Its (Dental) Upsides
Given the right mixtures, salt can benefit your teeth and gums. Consider the advantages listed below:

• Mouth Wound Care – By rinsing with salt water, you can clean sensitive mouth wounds you might have. Plus, the action can reduce swelling from oral surgery or infections.
• pH Restoration – Salt actually increases the pH balance in your mouth. As a result, it creates an alkaline environment that’s deadly to harmful oral bacteria to survive.
• Toothpaste Preservation – Salt is a key ingredient in toothpaste’s foaming detergents, ensuring the fluoridated substance doesn’t dribble.

Too Much Salt is Bad for Teeth
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... A little salt is fine for your smile, but the same isn’t true of a salt-heavy diet. The latter can greatly harm your teeth and gums.
The biggest issue is that high-salt foods are filled with carbs. Consequently, overeating promotes oral bacteria and acid production in the mouth. This outcome, in turn, leads to plaque buildup that damages your enamel and gum tissue.

Worse yet, high-salt diets can weaken teeth and bones. They increase the calcium you lose from urine, depriving you of a critical nutrient. You’re then likely to suffer damaged teeth or even osteoporosis.

Finding the Right Balance
Ultimately, it doesn’t take much to find the right salt balance for your teeth. You can achieve it by following these helpful oral practices:

• Stick to a low-salt diet – By easing up on the salt, you’ll reduce the number of carbs drawn to your grin. Furthermore, eating mouth-healthy alternatives like lean proteins will strengthen your teeth.

• Do the Occasional Salt Water Rinse – This habit will relieve your mouth pain, reduce oral infections, and stop harmful bacteria. To mix the relevant salt water, add a ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and stir until it’s dissolved.

Remember, salt is only a threat to your oral health if you take too much. A pinch of sodium now and again could do you good. If you’d like confirmation, visit your local dentist for details.