Gargling is the act of creating bubbles in a liquid that is located in the back of the mouth and upper throat. This is accomplished by tilting the head and expelling air from the lungs through the liquid. Gargling can relieve minor mouth and throat irritations, and can be useful in treating the symptoms of colds and the flu.
Function
The function of gargling is to cleanse the back of the mouth and upper throat, washing out debris and bacteria. Gargling, along with other oral hygiene, is a daily function to promote good oral hygiene. Gargling is thought to prevent upper respiratory conditions such as colds or the flu. Another function of gargling is to promote good smelling breath. Gargling with medicated or salted solutions will function as a topical treatment for sore throats as well.
Time Frame
Preventative gargling should be performed after brushing the teeth at least once a day to promote good oral hygiene. Gargling more often is recommended when a medical conditions such as a sore throat or cold is present. Under these conditions, gargling every hour is adequate. Each gargling session should last at least 45 seconds before expelling the liquid.
Effects
Gargling with different fluids will have different effects on the mouth and throat. Gargling with simple salt and water has only a cleansing effect. Gargling with a commercial mouthwash will have a cleansing and freshening effect. Special antiseptic gargling solution will not only cleanse and freshen the oral cavity it will also kill bacteria that caused infections. Any fluid will be of some value to cleanse and promote good oral hygiene.
Considerations
There are a few considerations that need to be evaluated about gargling. First being weather to gargle of not. Gargling with even the simplest of solutions will always benefit by cleansing the oral cavity and throat. The second consideration is what solution to use. All commercial mouthwash solutions are safe and effective for routine daily gargling. However, in the presence of sore throat or infection, special antiseptic solutions should be considered.
Benefits
The benefits of gargling offer many advantages for oral hygiene. At the very least, gargling routine gargling with a mouthwash solution will help maintain a clean oral cavity and proven bad breath. This may in turn help to prevent the buildup of bacteria that will cause mouth, throat and upper respiratory infections. Gargling with medicinal antiseptic or antibiotic solutions will be a benefit in helping to topically treat infections of the mouth and throat.
Tags: oral hygiene, Gargling with, mouth throat, promote good, good oral, good oral hygiene
