Get Rid of Your Cold with Mouthwash

Although rinsing with mouthwash has not been scientifically proven to prevent colds, many people feel that it helps ease symptoms of colds and sore throats. The common cold is caused by a virus, not a bacteria. However, sometimes a sore throat may be caused by a bacteria, such as strep, and in these situations it is crucial to start taking an antibiotic right away. Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash regularly is a good habit for your oral health, so you might consider including it in your daily routine for this reason. Rinsing with mouthwash may also help to temporarily relieve certain cold symptoms, such as a sore throat. You can also make a homemade mouthwash with salt and warm water, which may help to prevent and shorten your cold symptoms.

Steps

Rinsing with Antiseptic Mouthwash

1. Measure the amount of mouthwash recommended by the manufacturer and pour into a clean cup. Typically, the recommended amount is 4 teaspoons (20mL). However, make sure that you check the label of your mouthwash before measuring.
   • Do not swig mouthwash directly from the bottle, especially if you are feeling sick. There is no way of knowing if you have taken the correct dosage. If you do have a bacteria or virus, drinking directly from the bottle could transmit your infection to others who may use the same bottle of mouthwash.
2. Swish the mouthwash in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Swish vigorously to get the mouthwash in all parts of your mouth. Gargle the mouthwash in the back of your mouth, too.
3. Spit the mouthwash out. Do not swallow the mouthwash. Swallowing small amounts mouthwash could cause nausea and even diarrhea. Swallowing large amounts could be toxic.
   • If you or someone you know swallows a large amount of mouthwash, keep the product label handy and call the Poison Control Hotline: 1-800-222-1222.
4. Rinse your mouth twice a day, or as recommended by the product label. Do not use mouthwash more frequently than the product label recommends. Most manufactures recommend that you use mouthwash only twice a day.
5. Do not give mouthwash to children under the age of 6. Young children are more likely to accidentally swallow mouthwash, which can pose serious health risks.

Rinsing with a Homemade Saline Mouthwash

1. Prepare a saline solution. Mix one cup of warm water with ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt. Use warm water to better dissolve the salt and to soothe your throat. Test the water on the underside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot to use for gargling.
2. Swish the saline mouthwash around your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds, or up to 3 minutes. Gargle the solution in the back of your mouth, too. The saltwater helps to break up mucus in your throat and draws excess liquid from your throat tissue that may be causing inflammation.
3. Spit the saline solution out, along with any mucus that is loosened from gargling. It’s okay if you accidentally swallow some of the saltwater, as it will give you no bad side effects. However, it’s better to spit it out, along with the mucus that it loosens, to rid your body of any of the bacteria or virus cells that it has accumulated.
4. Repeat as often as necessary. If you have a lot of mucus built up in your throat, gargle with the saltwater solution repeatedly until you’ve expelled as much of the mucus as possible. Otherwise, repeat at least 3 times a day until your cold symptoms subside.

Tips

• Mixing your own saline solution mouthwash at home is more cost effective than purchasing manufactured mouthwash. It may also be more effective than store-bought mouthwash at easing sore throat pain.

Warnings

• Do not swallow store-bought antiseptic mouthwash. If you or someone you know has swallowed a large quantity of mouthwash, call the Poison Control Hotline: 1-800-222-1222.
• If your symptoms persist or worsen, you may need to see a doctor. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek professional medical help: trouble breathing or chest pain, a fever of over 100.5 that persists for more than a day or two, persistent vomiting, significant pain when swallowing, persistent cough, persistent congestion and/or headache.

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Sources and Citations

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