Common "Salt Water Gargling" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Salt Water Gargling

Gargling with salt water is the most widely used home remedy for infections like sore throat, cold, cough, strep throat, mononucleosis, allergies, periodontitis, canker sores, and gingivitis. Salt is helpful to treat mild inflammations as it draws out water from the cells and prevents microorganisms from entering the cells.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I have an ulcer on my tongue. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, The ulcer on my tongue hurts a lot while I eat and talk, especially when my tongue touches my teeth. I am seeking an overnight solution for this, ideally just to get relief for tomorrow. I have a school presentation scheduled for tomorrow, and without being able to talk, I will not be...  Read Full »


Dr. Vandana Andrews

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. I am sorry to inform you that there is no overnight solution for a mouth ulcer. Mouth ulcers typically heal on their own within one to two weeks. In the meantime, here are some tips to help manage the pain: Avoid spicy, acidic, or salty f...  Read Full »

How to treat dry cough during pregnancy?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 12 weeks pregnant. For the last three days, I am suffering from a dry cough. My doctor prescribed me Ambrolite D syrup two teaspoons at bedtime and a Vozet tablet once a day. He said that it is an allergic cough. But, after consuming the medicine for two days, my cough does not im...  Read Full »


Dr. Amol Kumar Wasudeorao Diwan

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for writing your query to me. A dry cough for more than three days in the absence of breathing difficulties usually suggests viral pharyngitis. You do not need to take antibiotics unless you have a fever. At the same time, you said you are 12 weeks pregnant, so ...  Read Full »

I have a foul-smelling discharge after tooth removal. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I had all four wisdom teeth pulled nine days ago. Only the one on the bottom right tooth is very painful and when I push near it all this foul smelling yellow stuff comes out. What is wrong? Also, having headaches.  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You may have dry socket condition on that side. It occurs due to loss of blood clot in the early days since extraction. Use warm salt water gargle twice a day for a week or two to get some relief. You may need antibiotics and painkillers for a week or two. So, go b...  Read Full »

I had my wisdom teeth removed. Is everything fine?

Query: Hi doctor, I got my two bottom wisdom teeth pulled two days back. I have some photos of them. I was wondering if you could tell me if everything looks fine. I am still in pain and find it hard to eat solid foods.  Read Full »


Dr. Geethanjali. S. S

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen the pictures you attached with your query (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Both the extracted regions looks perfectly good. I see that the sutures have been placed for helping those gums to heal quickly. Also, there is the food debris or rem...  Read Full »

Do the raised white lines in my mouth indicate leukoplakia

Query: Hi doctor, I went to the ENT for a sore throat. He ended up saying I have leukoplakia. It is mainly in the gap where I am missing the tooth. He said it was in other areas around my lower gum but it pretty much wiped off of there. I then went to my dentist who said it was not leukoplakia. I then went...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com I have seen the image (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is not at all a type of leukoplakia as seen in the picture. But, if you are a smoker, then I would recommend you stop smoking. It seems to be just hyperkeratinization of the oral mucosa which ca...  Read Full »

Am I in trouble of 20% bone loss at this age of 45 years?

Query: Hi doctor, I was told that my gums are fine with most of them at level 3 and a few in level 4. One doctor said that I have some bone loss, but there is no big deal. Another qualified dentist said that bone loss is 20%. Now, I am scared. Am I in trouble with 20% bone loss at the age 45? I have a prev...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The amount of bone loss that is 20% is not alarming at 45 years of age. It is routinely seen in patients at this age. There is no need to worry as it does not mean that the tooth will fall off soon. Try to maintain the current level by using a warm salt water gargle twi...  Read Full »

Could diarrhea, oral ulcers, and weakness indicate HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, I performed receptive fellatio on a guy 55 days back. I took RNA PCR (Ribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction)TEST after 11 days and then again at 35 days and both were negative. I also took a fourth generation combo test (antibody and p24) on 38th day and it was negative as well. T...  Read Full »


Dr. Atishay Bukharia

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, Candidiasis is there. But, it is usually the late manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since, all your tests are negative, consider yourself as negative unless proved otherwise. All other things can also happen without HIV. Go for HIV test one more ti...  Read Full »

Why are my gums still red after using an electronic toothbrush?

Query: Hello doctor, I went to the dentist before two months. He said that I had good teeth health and gum health. The only thing is for my front teeth on the top and bottom I developed a frayed appearance around the gumline. He said this was from too much gumline and toothbrush contact and that switching ...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have an excellent set of healthy teeth. By observing the pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity), the gums do seem to have puffiness, but only of mild nature. The brush whether electric or not does not matter, just do not touch the gums and stick to...  Read Full »

My mouth is swollen and I am unable to talk wearing dentures. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, I had several teeth removed last week and was fitted with dentures. Woke up this morning and mouth was swollen and I could not talk with my dentures in. The mouth is still swollen four hours later. What should I do?  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You can remove the dentures for now and use warm salt water gargle twice a day for a few days. Allow it to heal and then start wearing your dentures. You can take anti-inflammatory medication if your doctor has prescribed else take rest and it will heal soon.  Read Full »

How to treat pain and swelling due to a wisdom tooth cutting into the cheek?

Query: Hi doctor,I was planning to remove my upper left wisdom tooth last week. But the dentist was unavailable due to pandemic. I have taken an X-ray on my last visit and my dentist told me that it looks very awkward. I have a lot of pain at this moment as my wisdom tooth is halfway splitting into the sid...  Read Full »


Dr. Ummah Mohammad

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. As your mouth opening is very low, do salt water gargling five to six times a day. It will help to relax your mouth opening. Continue taking antibiotics as prescribed. Have a gap of four to five days and then continue taking antibiotics for an...  Read Full »

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