eli5 Why do we use WARM salt water for canker sores?

Question

I understand why salt is needed, to dry out the sore and heal it. My doctor said: “gargle with salt water that is as warm as you can handle without burning yourself?” Why was the “warm” aspect of this emphasized so much?

In: Biology

Answer 1

My mom said canker sores were due to a lack of folic acid, so we’d pop folic acid pills 2x a day and they’d be gone within 48 hrs. Never heard of the saltwater thing.