Betta swollen mouth

Question
QUESTION: Hi!
I'm sure that my betta, Violet, has a swollen mouth and refuses to eat... I don't have medications like chemicals or marine/aquarium salt, all i have is table salt. will it hurt the fish? it doesn't contain much iodine bec. its not specifically labeled 'iodized salt'
Thanks Renee, i've been rating perfect 10s :)

ANSWER: Hi Laura,

You can't use table salt.  It's got to be marine salt.  They sell it in pet stores for about five dollars to do 20 gallons.  If you can't find it, go to the store and find rock salt.  That will work as long as it has no iodine in it.  :)

If it has no iodine, then it's fine.

Thankyou for the ratings.  :)

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, he wont make the bubble nest anymore, i added some salt and some methane blue, he seems better but his mouth wont! i just figured out that he likes/eats bread. i placed him now in a half gallon bowl with plants.. he seems to like it. thanks!

Answer
Hi,

I'd like you to try one more thing.  

Take half a clove of garlic and squish it in a teaspoon into tiny bits.  Take that spoon and swirl it around in his little bowl.  Leave it.  Garlic is a natural anti-bacterial and it also enhances the desire to eat.  

It won't harm him.

:)

Renee