When it comes to our health, nothing can beat the importance of drinking fresh, clean water. Drinking 8 glasses of water every day is one of the best things you can do for your health since the human body has about 60% water percentage.
Water is essential to ensure peak bodily performance and functions. Losing even 2% of the total water content will result in dehydration symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, and poor concentration.
While we understand the importance of hydration for our body and overall health, some may not be even aware of the dental health benefits of drinking water. So, is drinking water good for your teeth and gums? How does drinking water affect our mouth, teeth, and gums?
In this post, we will explore the link between drinking water and good oral health.
- Strengthen Your Teeth
Did you know that the enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in the human body? It is made up of 96% minerals, making it harder than your bones. However, poor oral hygiene, dehydration, and acidic foods and drinks can quickly soften your enamel over time.
Fluoride is a natural cavity-fighting mineral that you can obtain from drinking fluoridated water. This is the easiest and most beneficial thing you can do to protect your teeth from cavities and keep them healthy. Our tap water naturally contains fluoride. Canadian towns and cities have regulated levels of fluoride in drinking water for their residents, providing an additional boost of protection for the teeth. Keeping the enamel strong and healthy helps protect your teeth against tooth decay and cavities.
- Wash Away Harmful Bacteria
Eating and drinking sweetened beverages (soda, juice, sports drinks) can leave tiny food particles and unwanted sugars behind your teeth. When it is impossible to brush your teeth, harmful bacteria in your mouth will feed on the sugars from food and drinks, leaving acid that wears away the enamel. Acid attacks on your teeth can eventually weaken the enamel, which leads to the formation of cavities.
However, drinking water can help flush down unwanted particles that bacteria could get a hold of. Water helps dilute the acid in your mouth that eats away the enamel. Not to mention that the fluoride present in the water also helps coat the surface of your teeth, aiding in its protection against acids.
- Prevent Dry Mouth
Xerostomia or dry mouth is a common side effect of dehydration. This oral health condition is caused when the salivary glands are unable to produce a healthy level of saliva. The lack of saliva can make your mouth a thriving environment for bad oral bacteria. Not only does it cause tooth cavities and gum diseases, but also bad breath. A dry mouth can also affect your tongue, making it difficult to speak, chew, and taste.
A healthy level of saliva production plays a huge factor in protecting your teeth. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which help fight bacteria that can wreak havoc on our oral health. It also washes away leftover food and other residues left in your mouth. Drinking enough water is an effective dry mouth treatment, which supports the production of saliva and a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.
- Help Whiten Teeth
Not only can drinking water keep our mouth healthy but it can also whiten our teeth. The consumption of dark-coloured food and beverages can leave stains on your teeth. When drinking red wine, tea, coffee, tea, and dark sodas, and eating pomegranates and blueberries, an Etobicoke dentist recommends drinking water between sips and bites to wash away the stains.
If you think that you are going to need more than just drinking water, professional teeth whitening can help brighten and lighten your smile.
- Reduced Risk of Gum Disease
Every time you drink water, the liquid flushes out harmful bacteria and leftover food particles that cling to your teeth and form plaque, which is the primary cause of gum disease. This oral health condition causes discomfort, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. Without proper and immediate treatment, gum disease can lead to severe tooth decay, premature loss of teeth, and even loss of bone tissues that support your teeth.
- Fights Bad Breath
Drinking enough glasses of water every day is an effective way to keep your mouth clean and fresh throughout the day Water helps fight against bad breath, especially morning breath, which is caused by dry mouth. When bacteria feed off the leftover food in your mouth, it produces an unpleasant smell.
- No Calories
Who would have thought calories affect oral health? The sugars in high-calorie food and sweetened drinks cause tooth decay. Instead of buying soda, drink a glass of water. You are not only minimizing the sugar in your diet but are also helping yourself lose extra pounds!
Tips to Drink More Water
Getting enough water is essential to your health. Here are a few helpful tips to make you feel better and drink more water daily:
- Create Routines – Form a habit of drinking a tall glass of water every morning upon waking up and after each meal. Then, consume a small glass of water before bedtime. Adding these into your daily routine helps you develop a habit of drinking more water.
- Remind Yourself – Another way of getting into the habit of drinking water is by setting an alarm throughout the day to notify you to drink.
- Big Gulps – Instead of grabbing a glass of water and sipping it, take 5 to 10 big gulps each time you reach for water. This enables you to consume more water throughout the day than taking small sips at a time.
- Love Your Water Bottle – Purchasing a water bottle that you love is one way to encourage yourself to drink more water. Make sure to carry it anywhere and keep it nearby to give you easy access whenever you want to drink.
- Keep Track – Whether you prefer using an app on your phone or jotting it down on paper, take note of the amount of water you drink every day to ensure that you meet your goals and hold yourself accountable.
Maximize the dental health benefits of drinking water by making it a habit. However, you should not neglect good dental hygiene habits if you want to protect your teeth. Remember to visit a trusted dental clinic in Etobicoke twice every year.
