Work

From Thermal Springs to Saline Solutions: A Scoping Review of Salt-Based Oral Healthcare Interventions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Therapeutic applications of saline solutions in oral healthcare range from mineral waters to standardized sodium chloride preparations. Despite millennia of use across medical traditions, their scientific foundation remains inadequately characterized and methodologically fragmented. This scoping review aimed to systematically characterize evidence for saline interventions in oral healthcare and identify methodological gaps for clinical standardization. Methods: Following JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR standards, four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) were searched for 2000-2024 publications. Studies were classified along a naturalness continuum from geological mineral waters to artificial preparations. Data synthesis integrated narrative analysis with systematic gap identification. Results: Thirteen eligible studies revealed limited evidence despite widespread clinical use. Research bias favored hypersaline Dead Sea derivatives (n=7, 54%) over natural thermal waters (n=2, 15%). Dead Sea interventions showed consistent benefits in periodontal inflammation, viral load reduction, and mucositis prophylaxis, though whitening applications failed. Marine-derived solutions demonstrated superior plaque control versus chlorhexidine, while artificial preparations (n=3) achieved therapeutic equivalence with conventional antimicrobials. Optimal antimicrobial duration occurred at 5.8% salinity. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and heterogeneous outcomes. Conclusions: Saline solutions demonstrate consistent efficacy across the natural-artificial spectrum. The inverse relationship between widespread clinical utilization and limited scientific validation highlights fundamental research gaps requiring urgent attention for evidence-based integration.

Source: Dentistry Journal

DOI: 10.3390/dj14010032

Authors: Elisabetta Ferrara, Manela Scaramuzzino, Biagio Rapone, Giovanna Murmura, Bruna Sinjari

Institutions: University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Chieti-Pescara

Language: English

Topic: Oral microbiology and periodontitis research

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,413