gargling
{{Short description|Bubbling a liquid in one's mouth}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
Gargling is the act of bubbling liquid in the mouth. It is also the washing of one's throat with a liquid (with one's head tipped back) that is kept from being swallowed by continuous exhalation. This produces a characteristic gurgling sound. Mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide (in a low concentration) is often employed.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
A traditional home remedy of gargling warm saltwater is sometimes recommended to soothe a sore throat.{{cite web |url=https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/does-gargling-wlth-salt-water-ease-a-sore-throat |title=Does Gargling with Salt Water Ease a Sore Throat? |website=WebMD |publisher=Internet Brands |first=Chris C. |last=Anderson |date=2018 |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329183629/https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/does-gargling-wlth-salt-water-ease-a-sore-throat |url-status=live }}
One study in Japan has shown that gargling water a few times a day will lower the chance of upper respiratory infections such as common colds,{{cite journal |last1=Satomura |first1=K. |last2=Kitamura |first2=T. |last3=Kawamura |first3=T. |last4=Simbo |first4=T. |last5=Watanabe |first5=M. |last6=Kamei |first6=M. |display-authors=etal |title=Prevention of Upper Respiratory Infections by Gargling: A Randomized Trial |journal=American Journal of Preventive Medicine |volume=2005 |issue=29 |pages=302–307 }}{{cite journal |last1=Sakai |first1=M. |last2=Shimbo |first2=T. |last3=Omata |first3=K. |display-authors=etal |title=Cost-Effectiveness of Gargling for the Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections |journal=BMC Health Services Research |volume=2008 |issue=8 |page=258 }} though some medical doctors are skeptical.{{cite web |last=Boyles |first=Salynn |date=October 19, 2005 |title=Does Gargling with Water Prevent Colds? |url=http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20051020/does-gargling-with-water-prevent-colds |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812154902/http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20051020/does-gargling-with-water-prevent-colds |archive-date=2007-08-12 |access-date=April 30, 2015 |website=WebMD |publisher=}}