While many people believe that only a high sugar diet will eventually affect your teeth, your salt intake can actually play a big part in your dental health as well as your general health.
Your recommended daily amount of salt is 6g, however, a lot of people end up consuming more due to the fact that lots of food these days have hidden salt content. Salt itself will not damage your teeth, however, there can be quite a high sodium content in carbohydrates, especially in processed foods which could have an underlying effect on teeth.
Your teeth, just like your bones, are made up of a tissue that depends on calcium to help keep them strong and healthy. Studies have shown that having a sodium-rich diet can actually increase the amount of calcium your body loses through urine – this could lead to problems such as osteoporosis and eventual tooth loss.
That’s not to say all salt is bad. Sea salt can be a natural antihistamine against asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Salt also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, which is why many people prefer to make their own natural mouthwash. A salt mouthwash can be used to soothe and heal mouth sores and help with a sore throat suffering from tonsillitis.
However, your salt mouthwash should not be used in place of your normal dental hygiene routine but as a supplement. Always consult your GP regarding your salt intake and speak to your dentist on how salt can be beneficial to your oral hygiene.