How to Clean Your Throat

If your throat is clogged with mucus and phlegm, there are effective methods to clear it out, making breathing, eating, and drinking easier. Medications, home remedies, and certain foods and drinks can help improve symptoms. This guide will explore various strategies to clean your throat and maintain optimal throat health.

Part 1: Cleaning Your Throat

Use Mouth Rinses

Using a mouth rinse on a daily basis can help clean out the back of your throat and prevent bacteria that causes bad breath and a variety of mouth diseases. Mouth rinses may contain antimicrobial agents to prevent disease, fluoride that reduces tooth decay, and odor neutralizers to combat bad breath.

• Therapeutic vs. Cosmetic Rinses: Some mouth rinses are merely cosmetic, meaning they seek to eliminate bad breath temporarily but do not have the bacteria-fighting powers of stronger brands. Make sure you purchase a mouth rinse that is therapeutic and designed to clean your mouth and throat in addition to eliminating bad breath.

• Usage Instructions: Mouth rinses will come with instructions on how to use them. Most require you to swish or gargle the liquid for a number of seconds before spitting it into the sink and rinsing out your mouth with water.

Take Care of Your Tonsils

Tonsils are small collections of lymph tissue in the back of the throat that are often the cause of infections and bad breath.

• Tonsil Stones: Sometimes, tonsil stones, which are concretions of food particles and mucus, build up in the folds of the tonsils and cause bad breath. They may also make you feel like you're gagging or like you need to clear your throat constantly.

• Irrigating Tonsils: If you're having trouble with tonsil stones, you may need to regularly irrigate your tonsils using an irrigation system available at drug stores. These systems work somewhat like nasal or ear irrigation systems, using a rubber syringe to spray water and medication in the back of the throat to remove unwanted debris.

• Medicated Sprays: Tonsil sprays can be purchased at most drug stores. These medicated sprays are used on the back of your throat to clean out your tonsils and prevent decay.

Brush Your Tongue

When brushing your teeth each day, make sure you take a few minutes to brush the back of your tongue with your toothbrush. This helps clean your throat and mouth in addition to your teeth, preventing the buildup of bacteria that causes disease and bad breath.

Part 2: Using Medication and Home Remedies

Over-the-Counter Medications

The quickest way to remove phlegm and other unwanted substances from the throat is simple over-the-counter medication that can be purchased at most drug stores and supermarkets.

• Expectorants: OTC medications labeled as "expectorants" are designed to clear mucus and phlegm from the throat and chest. These include brand names like Mucinex or generic medications like guaifenesin.

• Consulting a Physician: Always check the side effects of any new medications you're taking. Many expectorants cause drowsiness, and some medication labels might advise against operating a motor vehicle while taking them. Consult your physician before taking any new medications to ensure they're safe for you.

Saline Solution

Saltwater or saline solution can effectively clean out the throat for a short period by preventing nasal drip, reducing stuffiness, and removing mucus from the nose.

• DIY Saline Solution: Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of distilled water at room temperature. If you use tap water, boil it first to sterilize it and then let it cool down. Dissolve the baking soda and salt into the water.

• Using a Syringe: Use a rubber syringe to squirt the solution into your nose and let it run into the back of your throat. Spit it out into the sink. This should help clear your nasal pathways, reducing phlegm buildup in your throat.

Honey and Lemon Mixture

Honey and lemon both have antibacterial properties that can help soothe the throat and remove phlegm, mucus, and other bacteria.

• Preparation: Combine honey and lemon juice in equal parts and mix thoroughly. You can take a spoonful of the mixture pure or add it to tea, coffee, or hot water.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil can be applied externally to relieve congestion, which may help clear up the throat.

• Application: Eucalyptus oil should only be applied to the skin and never taken orally. Dilute eucalyptus oil in a carrier oil (such as coconut, olive, or canola oil) before use. Gently massage the oil into your chest and neck and leave it on for a few hours to relieve congestion.

Part 3: Eating and Drinking to Clean Your Throat

Ginger and Garlic

Raw ginger and garlic are extremely helpful in clearing up congestion and cleaning out the throat due to their antibacterial properties.

• Consumption: Consume ginger and garlic uncooked for the best results. If the idea of chewing whole bits of garlic or ginger is unappealing, you can mince them and take with water like a pill.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are known to eliminate irritation in the throat caused by phlegm-causing infections.

• Recommended Teas: Green tea, ginger tea, chamomile, and lemon tea are good choices. Try non-caffeinated varieties for the best results. Herbal teas can melt away mucus in the throat, decongesting and cleaning out your throat.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can loosen phlegm and make it runnier, making it easier to remove via coughing and blowing your nose.

• Usage Caution: While spicy foods can be effective, they might irritate an already sore throat. Use this method cautiously, especially if you've had issues like acid reflux in response to spicy foods in the past.

Avoid Certain Foods

Certain foods can worsen throat congestion and should be avoided while trying to clean your throat.

• Foods to Avoid: Refined sugars and other artificial sweeteners can irritate the throat. Soy products like tofu and soy milk can increase the production of phlegm and should not be substituted for milk and cheese while cleaning your throat.

Part 4: Taking Care of Your Throat

Drink Plenty of Water

Proper hydration helps keep mucus loose and less likely to get caught in your throat.

• Hydration Tips: Aim for about 8 glasses of water a day. If you're sick with a cold, you may need to drink slightly more to compensate for increased mucus production.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking irritates the vocal folds and makes you more susceptible to infections, resulting in more colds and flu, and therefore more mucus. Ditch the cigarettes to help clear your throat and look into plans for quitting long term.

Drink Alcohol and Soft Drinks in Moderation

Carbonated beverages and alcohol can irritate the throat and create unnecessary phlegm. Alcohol also lowers the immune system, prolonging colds or flu and making it harder to clear your throat.

Conclusion

Keeping your throat clean and free of mucus involves a combination of daily hygiene practices, over-the-counter medications, home remedies, and mindful dietary choices. Regular use of therapeutic mouth rinses, proper hydration, and avoiding irritants like smoke and certain foods can significantly improve throat health.

Additionally, using expectorants, saline solutions, and natural remedies like honey and lemon can provide relief from congestion and phlegm buildup. By following these strategies, you can maintain a clean and healthy throat, improving your overall comfort and well-being.