You already know the many reasons that hydration is important for your health, especially during and after periods of strenuous exercise. But if you, like many, struggle to drink the daily recommended amount of water, then consider that drinking water is also incredibly important for your dental health.
Every time you take a drink of water, you do your smile and your body a BIG favor. Read on to learn four reasons that water is great for your teeth.
1. Water Strengthens Your Teeth
Unless you drink only filtered or purified water, you get ample amounts of the very important mineral, fluoride, in your drinking water. Fluoride is also added to many toothpastes and other oral hygiene products.
Fluoride protects your teeth by preventing demineralization, which is the process by which tooth decay occurs. This mighty mineral actually strengthens your enamel so that sugars and acids are unable to harm your pearly whites.
2. Water Freshens Your Breath
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Every time you eat, bits of food are left behind in the spaces between your teeth. As bacteria consume those bits of food, they produce nasty byproducts which affect the health of your enamel and cause your breath to smell badly. Drinking water helps wash away these bits of food and prevents bacteria from finding their next meal.
Water also helps dilute the acids that build up in your mouth from sugary foods and bacteria, reducing the damage to your enamel and protecting your teeth.
3. Water Has No Calories
The problem with popular beverages like sodas, sweetened teas, energy drinks, and alcohol, is that they contain calories in the form of sugar. Not only do these calories add up much more quickly (without any of the satisfying fullness) of calories from food, but sugars also harm your enamel. Replace these sugary drinks with water for a more satisfying and calorie-free substitute.
4. Water Prevents Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common condition associated with certain medications, stress, snoring, smoking, and infections. When someone has dry mouth, their salivary glands stop producing an adequate amount of saliva for chewing, swallowing, and digestion.
Giving your body ample amounts of water keeps your saliva production flowing, so you can avoid the unpleasant experience of dry mouth.
When Water Can’t Fix it, Call Parkcrest Dental Group
Drinking water regularly is a great habit and preventative measure to keep your teeth strong, your breath fresh, and your body happy. Some problems, however, are too big for water to solve.
If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, or bleeding of the gums, you might already have an infection or disease that needs prompt treatment. Let Parkcrest Dental help you get your oral health on track. Contact Parkcrest Dental to schedule an appointment today.
