When you get sick with a sore throat it is good to know a treatment that is simple, inexpensive and easy to make at home. So how can you make a salt water gargle mix? It really is quite easy and also is soothing and can help relieve the pain and soreness of your inflamed throat.

It is important when making your salt-water gargle mixture that you do not add in too much salt. If the salt concentration is too high then you can actually cause further irritation to your throat.

Steps To Make A Salt Water Gargle Mix

  • So start off by adding around a teaspoon of salt to a pint (or 500 ml) of room temperature water.
  • Stir the salt in well so that it is all dissolved.
  • Test the taste of the salty water. If you cannot taste the salt then add a little more salt and test it again.
  • Once you have a salty water mix then you are ready to gargle.
  • Ensure that you are leaning over a sink or basin so that you do not spill the water on the floor.
  • Spit the saltwater out after you have gargled for one or two minutes. It is not advised to swallow the salty solution.

It is interesting to note that research has shown that those who gargle regularly, even up to three times a day, during the cold and flu season have around a 40% drop in likelihood of developing upper respiratory tract infections. It has been shown that it is actually beneficial to your health to gargle a saltwater solution at least once daily during the flu season.

Gargle Salt Solution For A Tooth Ache

Gargling a salt-water mixture is not only beneficial when you have a throat infection, but also in cases when you develop a toothache.

  • Get a cup of hot water (not boiling water, just as hot as your mouth can stand without being dangerous)
  • Add a teaspoon of salt and stir.
  • Add half a teaspoon of baking soda and stir again.
  • Gargle salt solution.
  • Ensure that you spit all of the solution out after a minute or two of gargling. Do not swallow the saltwater.

By gargling this salt mixture the pain in the mouth may be relieved if is due to a tooth erupting. Gargling a saltwater solution can also minimize the risk of infection from mouth ulcers.

Do not play around with your teeth. If pain persists be sure to go to your dentist as soon as possible to ensure the problem does not get out of hand.

Filed under: Healthy Living