Will gargling with Sodium Bicarbonate drastically increase sodium intake?

[mikeymike99]

I know that sodium bicarbonate has - like salt - a high sodium content. If I gargle twice a day with sodium bicarbonate in water will I increase my sodium intake to a significant degree?

[crisgal]

why would you want to?

[puddicat]

no cos you should be spitting it out!!!

[spacechimp]

I wouldn't have thought so.

Mouthwashes and toothpastes all contain nasty chemicals that you wouldn't eat, but which are fine to gargle, so I don't think gargling it is likely to be a problem.

[yummymum]

y do u do this?

[babybow]

i agree with pickle it has to be intravenious. because you gargle and i presume you are spitting it out then your sodium level will be ok.

[babybow]

some peeps use this for oral hygiene

[mikeymike99]

Yes, I realise now that my post was ambiguous - I'm trying to avoid sodium intake!. I'm gargling with it as a mouthwash as it's supposed to do the trick without having lots of potentially hazardous chemicals. As the mouth is very absorbent I was worried that it would increase my sodium content when we're all supposed to be cutting down on it.

[coccinelle]

To be on the safe side then, gargle with the bi-carb then gargle again with clear water and spit out so there's no risk of the saliva you're swallowing afterwards will have sodium in it.