Can physiological saline be used directly for mouth rinsing?

Normal saline can be used directly for mouth rinsing. Normal saline, which is a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, has an osmotic pressure similar to that of human plasma and tissue fluid. This similarity helps prevent cell rupture or excessive water absorption and generally does not damage the oral mucosa. Using normal saline for mouth rinsing offers several benefits: 1. Oral cleaning: It effectively removes food debris and soft deposits from tooth pits and fissures, interdental spaces, gums, and labial/buccal grooves, helping prevent periodontal inflammation and gingival bleeding. 2. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects: For mild inflammation such as wisdom tooth pericoronitis or gingivitis, normal saline can help eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms from the oral mucosa, promoting recovery from oral inflammation. It should be noted that although saline mouth rinsing offers many advantages, prolonged and excessive use may disrupt the balance of oral microbiota and inorganic salts. Therefore, it is recommended to use normal saline for mouth rinsing appropriately, based on individual oral health conditions and personal needs.