It costs basically nothing, doesn’t burn, and somehow leaves my mouth feeling fresher than any of those store-bought rinses.
Funny enough, I tried the saltwater rinse trick after a wisdom tooth extraction years ago, and it stuck with me. I’ll admit, sometimes I get lazy and just swish with plain water, but you’re right—saltwater does seem to do the job better. My dentist used to say it’s “nature’s mouthwash.” Only thing is, if I overdo the salt, my lips feel like beef jerky... but maybe that’s just me getting heavy-handed before coffee.
my lips feel like beef jerky... but maybe that’s just me getting heavy-handed before coffee.
Yeah, I know what you mean about the salt. I always worry I’m using too much, then panic and rinse again with plain water just in case. Honestly, even though everyone swears by saltwater, I get a little anxious about whether it’s actually enough for smokers’ breath. Sometimes I’ll use one of those alcohol-free rinses after, just to be sure. Maybe I’m just overthinking it, but I can’t shake the feeling that plain saltwater isn’t cutting it for me.
I totally get where you're coming from—saltwater rinses are kind of a classic, but honestly, I’ve wondered about their limits too. I’ve had patients mention that same worry, especially if they smoke or just feel like their breath needs extra help. Sometimes it’s more about peace of mind than anything else.
I usually suggest being gentle with the salt, since too much can dry your mouth out and make things worse (hello, beef jerky lips). If you’re finding that saltwater isn’t cutting it, those alcohol-free rinses are a solid backup. They’re less harsh but still help with odor.
Have you noticed if certain foods or drinks make it better or worse in the morning? Some folks find coffee or even mouth-breathing at night makes the breath situation tougher to manage, especially as a smoker. Curious if you’ve tried switching up your routine—like brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper? Sometimes that makes a bigger difference than the rinse itself.
If you’re finding that saltwater isn’t cutting it, those alcohol-free rinses are a solid backup. They’re less harsh but still help with odor.
I hear you on the saltwater—cheap and easy, but yeah, it doesn’t always do the trick, especially after a night of smoking and coffee. I’ve tried those alcohol-free rinses, but honestly, some of them still sting or just mask the problem for an hour. Brushing my tongue made a bigger difference than any rinse for me. It’s wild how much gunk builds up there overnight. And hey, if you’re on a budget like me, a tongue scraper costs next to nothing and lasts forever. Don’t stress too much—morning breath is just part of being human, especially for us smokers.
Brushing my tongue made a bigger difference than any rinse for me. It’s wild how much gunk builds up there overnight.
Totally agree on the tongue thing—since I got braces, I’m way more paranoid about breath. I actually gagged the first few times trying to use a scraper, but now it’s part of my routine. Rinses just felt like a cover-up, especially with all the wires trapping stuff. Still get nervous about it, though, especially before ortho appointments.
