A person with swollen gums rinses his mouth with warm salt water, and the swelling decreases. Which of the following has occurred?

Question

A. The swollen gums have absorbed the saltwater solution.
B. The saltwater solution lowers the temperature of the water in the gums.
C. The salt in the solution has moved against the concentration gradient.
D. The water in the gums has moved from a high to a low concentration of water.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. The water in the gums has moved from a high to a low concentration of water.

Rinsing with warm salt water creates a hypertonic environment in the mouth compared to the swollen gums, which may have excess fluid due to inflammation. The salt in the solution draws water out of the swollen tissues in the gums (where there is a higher concentration of water) to the salt solution (where there is a lower concentration of water). This movement of water helps reduce swelling.