Rinsing with saltwater has been the go-to solution for wound healing for years. Sore throat? Gargle with saltwater. Mouth ulcer? Rinse with salt water. Salt from the table shaker has been used by everyone from grandmothers to medical professionals for thousands of years. But, now that we know more about the process of healing, salt water solutions need to meet much higher standards.
H2Ocean is a formulation of Red Sea salt, xylitol, and lysozyme — a researched combination of ingredients that supports healing more effectively and safely than plain table salt or alcohol-based rinses. Inventor, founder, and CEO of H2Ocean, Eddie Kolos, answered some questions about Red Sea salt and the secrets behind its benefits.
Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS (LS): What is the secret behind Red Sea Salt?
Eddie Kolos (EK): The Red Sea, a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia, supports the world’s northern-most tropical reef and harbors many living creatures, reefs, and coral formations. The natural trace minerals in sea salt from this area have a neutralizing effect on bodily acids. Red Sea salt contains 82 trace minerals which have been scientifically proven to be beneficial to living cells. Sea salt does not have the synthetic chemicals added to table salt, but it does have naturally occurring magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Together in the Red Sea salt, these minerals can help to promote cell metabolism, speed up healing, and soothe damaged skin. From supporting the care of implants to maintaining oral hygiene in orthodontics and across a wide age range of patients, we want H2Ocean to be the new wave in safe and natural oral care.
LS: Tell us more about the minerals. What part do they play in dental health and healing?
EK: The combination of minerals avoids some of the drawbacks of other rinses and accomplishes healing goals. Red Sea salt’s minerals closely resemble human extracellular fluids so they are less likely to cause osmotic stress or burning sensations. They encourage cellular hydration, stabilize tissues, and preserve the natural oral microbiome. The balanced oral pH in H2Ocean prevents enamel erosion and hinders acid-producing bacteria. The buffering minerals help neutralize acids and maintain the ideal slightly alkaline environment for healthy saliva flow. Trace elements like zinc and magnesium help regulate bacterial growth.
LS: What about antiseptic properties?
EK: Alcohol-based rinses can kill both good and bad bacteria, which could lead to dry mouth and reduced salivary enzymes. H2Ocean does not contain alcohol, colors, dyes, harsh preservatives, fluoride, artificial flavors, or sugar. Sea salt is widely recognized as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that can heal open wounds in less time as well as relieve canker sores, sore throats, and gum irritation.
LS: What role can it play in oral care after cancer treatment?
EK: We are now actively examining the role of sea salt-based oral care in supporting the management of oral complications associated with cancer therapy, including mucositis, xerostomia, and tissue sensitivity. Rinsing with a saltwater solution can provide relief from soreness, reduce inflammation, and cleanse the mouth gently without the use of harsh chemicals, alcohol, or additives.
LS: How are the impurities of the sea removed?
EK: The quality and safety of Red Sea salt depend on both the natural crystallization process and controlled extraction methods. During harvesting, seawater undergoes controlled natural evaporation, allowing only dissolved mineral ions to crystallize, while marine life, organic matter, microplastics, and contaminants from shipping activity are naturally excluded because they cannot integrate into the crystal lattice. Once fully crystallized, the salt exists in a stable solid form in which microorganisms cannot survive. The crystals are then processed under strict manufacturing controls, using advanced filtration and comprehensive testing to ensure the final product delivers high quality, contamination- free Red Sea salt.
LS: Your product is all natural—how do we know that the safety is up to standards?
EK: H2Ocean products are all tested to make sure that they meet FDA, cGMP, EU, and other standards. H2Ocean products are made in the USA and registered in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, and Europe.
LS: Besides Red Sea salt, what do the other ingredients in H2Ocean do?
EK: Xylitol and lysozyme are two additional important ingredients in our formulation. Xylitol increases salivary flow and neutralizes acids in saliva. Recent caries research notes that xylitol inhibits bacterial growth and helps fight plaque, which is extremely helpful for orthodontic patients, who have to prevent plaque from accumulating around orthodontic attachments.
The enzyme lysozyme also prevents plaque buildup and tooth decay, and also is a natural anti-bacterial that is soothing, and helps fight harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the mouth.
LS: Have your claims been backed up by any studies?
EK: Yes, of course. A study by Andrea Ballini, DMD, PhD, and colleagues called “Combined Sea Salt-based Oral Rinse with Xylitol in Orthodontic Patients: Clinical and Microbiological Study” concluded that there was a significant improvement in oral hygiene status when the natural antimicrobial tooth rinses were added to the daily oral hygiene regimen, and the positive results extended to participants who wore oral appliances.
Another study, by Shubhangi Mani, MDS, and colleagues, called “A Clinical Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Sea Salt Based Oral Rinse in Gingivitis Patients” showed that “H2Ocean based Arctic Ocean mouth rinse along with conventional oral hygiene plays a synergistic role in maintain the long-term oral hygiene by significantly reducing the plaque accumulation and suppressing the gingival inflammation.”
An interesting study on adolescents by Dr. Ballini and colleagues looked at Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) growth and plaque in adolescent patients 14 through 17 years old, and it found that the rinse had a “significant advantage on oral health, showing a decrease in plaque index and bacterial charge.”
LS: What are some other applications for Red Sea Salt?
EK: Since we have been developing products for 25 years, we have found a wide range of uses, with more than 32 products. We have products for aftercare of piercings and tattoos, wounds, nasal issues, veterinary uses, first aid, and antibacterial needs.
