Does using salt water as a mouth wash work just well as actual mouth wash? Or is it better to use Listerine?

Question

Does using salt water as a mouth wash work just well as actual mouth wash? Or is it better to use Listerine?

Answer 1

I agree with the above- salt water if you have mouth sores.  However, salt water is not an antibacterial- Listerine is what you want for that. This is what helps with bacteria that cause oral problems like gingivitis.   Other mouthwashes (Scope, Act, and the like) my dentist said you may as well use plain water.  

Answer 2

Using salt water is good for sore throats or to cut down on mucus drainage in the back of your throat...but not meant to be used every day as a mouthwash. You would be better to stick with an antibacterial mouthwash for every day use.  

Answer 3

I would think that too much salt in your mouth would actually dry out your mouth and make your mouth more vulnerable to bacteria (someone prove me wrong on this). Mouthwash would be the best option.

By the way, I have always found that mouthwash with alcohol actually makes your mouth seem less clean, and now I know why:

http://www.therabreath.com/art_alcohol.a...

Answer 4

Most mouth washes do little to nothing to help your oral hygiene...if they contain medicine they should only be used in certain situations. HSMW (hot salty mouth wash) can help healing if you had a tooth out or have ulcers.