Is salt good for teeth - Understanding the good and bad:

Is salt good for teeth:

There is a lot of misunderstanding in the public about the effects of salt on teeth. There are two sides to this debate. The first says that salt is bad for your teeth and the second says salt is good for your teeth. The following article will help to clear up some of those misconceptions and provide a better understanding on the effects of salt on dental health.

There are many studies being done in order to determine which side of the debate has more support. Until then, it's hard to say definitively whether or not salt is good or bad for our teeth, but it seems like it's a mixed bag at best.

The benefits of salt are undeniable, but it’s not without its drawbacks.

Why Salt Can Be Good for Your Teeth:

First let's take the salt benefits for teeth:

Salt has been used to clean teeth for centuries and is still a popular option in the present. Its abrasive properties act as a toothbrush, scrubbing away at plaque and other buildup.

Toothpaste containing salt is made of sodium chloride, the same salt used in table salt which has natural disinfectant properties.

You may have been told to try a warm salt water rinse after having a tooth pulled to keep the site clean and healthy, and even to help with pain relief. For toothache relief at home, salt water rinses are also advised.

The same can be said for salt toothpaste, which can disinfect the mouth and reduce gum inflammation.

Salt is thought to aid in strengthening enamel and remineralising teeth by stimulating saliva production.

Salt has also been used in dental treatments for centuries and even today dentists sometimes recommend patients rinse with either diluted table salt or sea-water, which contains sodium chloride.

Some people also use sodium bicarbonate as a tooth whitener or use salt water to get rid of stains from their teeth.

Salt can be good for teeth if it’s unprocessed or has added minerals like calcium and magnesium.Why Salt Can Be Bad for Your Teeth:

Now, let's take salt side effects for teeth:

The idea that salt strengthens teeth is, of course, a little far-fetched. It does not actually strengthen or repair teeth.

It is important to ensure that your toothpaste contains other beneficial ingredients as well, such as fluoride, which has been proven to prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. The effect of salt without other ingredients is too abrasive on teeth.

Your tooth enamel could be damaged if you dip your toothbrush into table salt and simply brush your teeth.

You might experience gum recession which leads to tooth decay if you consume excessive amounts of salt, whether as a seasoning or mouthwash.

Strength and structure of teeth are often derived from calcium. Calcium is excreted from your body when you consume high salt levels, resulting in tooth loss and osteoporosis.

Salt Isn’t Good For Teeth in All Forms:

A study from Johns Hopkins University found that children who ate a lot of processed foods that contained high levels of sodium (like table salt) had an increased risk of tooth decay.For example, table salt is bad for teeth because it is highly processed and contains no minerals.

In-short, processed salt is bad for your teeth.

Conclusion: Use salt in toothpaste, mouthwash or when advised by the dentist for pain relief is good but don't use salt in processed food or simple using salt as mouthwash everyday as that can weaken our teeth and also don't use salt on its own to clean teeth everyday.

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