Is it OK to brush your teeth with salt?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

It is generally not recommended to brush teeth with just salt. While salt can have some benefits for oral health when used properly, brushing directly with salt can be harsh on tooth enamel and irritate gums. It’s better to use regular toothpaste, or a toothpowder with a blend of salt and other ingredients. Speak to your dentist before switching up your regular oral hygiene routine.

What Is Salt Toothpaste or Powder?

Salt toothpaste and powders are oral hygiene products that contain salt, sometimes along with other ingredients like baking soda, chalk, charcoal, and herbs. The salt is either finely ground table salt (sodium chloride) or a more natural crystal salt like Himalayan pink salt.

The main proposed benefits of brushing with salt are:

Kills bacteria – Salt is antimicrobial so it can help kill bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth.
Removes stains – The gritty texture of salt can help scrub off stubborn tooth stains.
Neutralizes acids – Salt balances pH levels to neutralize damaging acids that erode tooth enamel.

Pulls fluids – Salt draws out liquid through osmosis, helping dry out and dislodge debris.
Soothes inflamed gums – Salt water can reduce inflammation and bleeding in irritated gums.

This may make salt toothpastes sound ideal, but there are some significant downsides to watch out for when brushing directly with salt.

Risks and Side Effects of Brushing with Salt

While salt can offer oral health benefits when used properly, brushing your teeth directly with salt has the following risks:

Tooth erosion – Salt is abrasive and can wear down and damage tooth enamel over time with excessive scrubbing.
Gum irritation – Salt crystals can be harsh and cause gum recession, bleeding, and sensitivity if applied directly.

Tooth discoloration – In some cases, salt can react with minerals in saliva and actually cause tooth discoloration.
Bad taste – Salt tastes quite strong and unpleasant on its own when applied dry to the teeth.
Swallowing risks – Accidentally swallowing salt while brushing could lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and nausea.

To get the benefits of salt without the downsides, it’s recommended to use salt in moderation as part of a toothpowder with other natural ingredients. Or, make a warm salt water rinse to use occasionally as a supplementary oral hygiene aid.

Should You Use Toothpaste or Salt to Brush Teeth?

Conventional fluoride toothpaste is still the number one recommended product for daily brushing by dentists. The pros of using regular toothpaste include:

Prevents cavities – Fluoride strengthens enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay.

Freshens breath – Most toothpastes contain mint and antibacterial agents to freshen breath.
Cleans gently – Toothpaste is designed to clean teeth thoroughly but gently, without damaging gums or enamel.
Polishes – Special abrasives in paste polish and brighten teeth, removing some stains.

Fights gingivitis – Anti-inflammatory ingredients reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.
Tastes good – Toothpastes come in a variety of refreshing flavors to make brushing pleasant.

Salt, on the other hand:

Doesn’t contain fluoride for cavity protection.
Is very abrasive and can damage enamel with excess scrubbing.
Has an unappealing salty flavor.

Can irritate gums if applied directly.

The bottom line is that while salt can provide some oral health benefits, toothpaste is formulated to clean teeth more safely and effectively for daily use.

How to Use Salt for Oral Health

If you want to incorporate salt into your oral hygiene routine, some safe ways to use it include:

Saltwater Rinse

Make a simple saline rinse by stirring a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Swish the salt water around your mouth for 30 seconds to kill bacteria, soothe inflamed gums, and dislodge debris between teeth. Spit it out and rinse with plain water. Use this no more than a couple times per week.

Salt and Soda Scrub

Make a paste by mixing 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and just enough water to form a paste. Dip your toothbrush in and brush gently for 2 minutes, concentrating on stained or discolored areas. Rinse thoroughly. Use this paste scrub once or twice a month.

Salt Toothpowder

Use a powder that contains a blend of salt and other natural ingredients like calcium carbonate, plant charcoal, baking soda, and herbs. These combine the stain-removing action of salt with gentler ingredients to protect enamel. Brush as normal twice a day.

Saltwater Gargle

Gargle with a sip of warm salt water for 30 seconds to reduce bad breath, then spit it out. This reaches bacteria at the back of your throat to provide fresher breath.

What Kind of Salt Should You Use?

If making your own salt rinses or pastes, use:

Fine crystal salt – This dissolves readily in water. Choose a high mineral natural salt like Himalayan or Celtic sea salt for added oral health benefits.

Iodized table salt – This supplies iodine your body needs, just be sure to rinse it out thoroughly as you don’t want to swallow too much sodium.
Avoid large flaked salt – The coarse crystals are too harsh and take too long to dissolve.

With any salt, remember that a little goes a long way. You only need about 1 teaspoon in a cup of water for oral rinsing. Excess salt can be problematic if swallowed.

What Does Research Say About Brushing with Salt?

There isn’t a great deal of evidence for brushing with plain salt. But some key research findings include:

– A 1986 study found that a salt and baking soda toothpowder was effective at removing plaque and stains, but was more abrasive than toothpaste with calcite. Participants found the powder unpleasant tasting.

– A 2011 study had subjects rinse with various salt solutions after brushing. The concentrated salt rinses reduced oral bacteria more than diluted ones, but could potentially damage gums and enamel with frequent use.

– A 2016 literature review concluded that salt can have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in the mouth, but that current research is lacking to fully support its use for oral hygiene.

So while salt may provide some benefits, more rigorous clinical studies are still needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for brushing teeth compared to regular fluoride toothpaste. At this time, there is more evidence for the risks than the rewards.

What Dentists Say About Brushing with Salt

Most mainstream dentists do not advise using salt alone to brush teeth on a regular basis. Potential concerns include:

– “The gritty particles of salt can actually scratch and wear down the protective enamel on your teeth. This can lead to increased sensitivity and permanent damage over time.”

– “Salt is fine as an ingredient in toothpowder, but many formulas combine it with baking soda and chalk to make it gentler on the teeth.”

– “I recommend using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day for the vast majority of my patients. Salt just doesn’t provide the same well-rounded daily oral hygiene.”

– “In some cases salt may worsen tooth staining and discoloration, rather than whiten and brighten as intended.”

– “Yes, saltwater rinses can be beneficial for freshening breath or soothing inflamed gums when used occasionally. But brushing directly with plain salt is too harsh for daily use.”

The consensus is that while salt may have some oral health uses, traditional toothpaste is still favored by most dental professionals for regular brushing and optimal dental hygiene.

Pros and Cons of Switching to Salt

Should You Make Your Own Salt Toothpaste?

It’s generally not recommended to make DIY salt toothpaste with just salt and water. This results in a gritty, salty paste that is low in cleaning power and not ideal for daily mouth hygiene.

Instead, you can make a more effective natural toothpaste using ingredients like:

– Coconut oil – Soothes gums and fights bacteria
– Baking soda – Cleans and deodorizes
– Xylitol – Sweetener that inhibits cavity-causing bacteria
– Essential oils – For flavoring like peppermint and tea tree
– Bentonite clay – Pulls toxins and polishes teeth
– Calcium powder – Strengthens enamel
– Stevia – Sugar-free sweetener

Blend together equal parts baking soda and coconut oil then add a pinch of salt along with desired oils and powders to form a paste. Store in a sealed jar away from light. While not as convenient as commercial paste, this offers a more natural option.

Conclusion

There are a few potential perks to occasionally using salt for oral health, such as killing bacteria, removing stains, and soothing gums. However, brushing regularly with plain salt comes with significant risks like eroding enamel, irritating gums, and even tooth discoloration in some cases.

While salty toothpastes and powders with other ingredients can be effective for periodic use, daily brushing is safest and most effective with a standard fluoride toothpaste. Using salt sparingly in tooth powders or as a mouth rinse allows you to gain some benefits without going overboard.

For optimal oral hygiene, stick with brushing twice daily for two minutes with a pea-sized amount of gentle fluoride toothpaste. This removes plaque and debris while delivering cavity protection without being harsh on teeth and gums. Salt can play a helpful supporting role in moderation, but shouldn’t replace regular toothpaste which provides the best all-around care.