The human body consists primarily of water, so we learn from a young age that we need to drink water to stay healthy. This proves true for your oral health as well. If you do not stay hydrated, the look and feel of your smile can deteriorate.
Dentists and medical experts agree that you should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to maintain adequate hydration levels. This will be easier to do when you know exactly how beneficial water can be for your oral health. Read on to find three of the many advantages that drinking plenty of water will give your smile.
Oral Health Benefits from Drinking Water
Give Oral Hygiene a Boost
The natural bacteria in your mouth will form a film of plaque over your teeth throughout the day. Plaque will eat away at your dental structure if it remains on your teeth.
This is why we practice oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing get rid of this plaque before it can hurt your smile. But we also consume substances that contribute to plaque formation in between our teeth-brushing regimens.
You can drink a glass of water to rinse residues from your smile, boosting the cleanliness of your mouth. This will reduce dental damage from plaque and keep your mouth feeling fresh. This will also help you avoid developing bad breath, getting rid of lingering food particles before they can decay and produce a foul odor.
Fight Dry Mouth Symptoms
If you become dehydrated, you will produce less saliva in your mouth. This creates a sticky and unpleasant sensation called dry mouth which can pose a risk to your oral health. The dry environment allows bacteria to spread with ease across your teeth.
This will heighten your risk of oral infections including gum disease. Gum disease will require intervention from your dentist to eliminate and may leave you with lasting dental damage like tooth loss.
You can prevent these oral infections and protect your gums by fighting dry mouth. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and stave off these dental problems.
Strengthen Your Tooth Enamel
Your teeth feature a protective outer shell called enamel. Though highly durable, enamel may erode over time, sometimes due to factors outside your control like aging. Once gone, the enamel will not generate.
Your dentist can offer restorative treatment to replace weakened enamel. But you can protect your dental structure by drinking water. Tap water contains fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that will absorb into your teeth and strengthen your enamel.
With the help of fluoride, your teeth can better resist surface stains as well as dental damage from tooth decay. You can lower your risk of cavities with fluoride in drinking water.
Fluoride is found in many food items, but your dentist can let you know more about the benefits of this mineral when you schedule an appointment. Consult with your dentist to find more preventative dental care advice that will suit your unique smile.