The human body is made primarily of water, so we learn from a young age that staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining good overall health. Drinking water proves to enhance your oral health as well.
Dentists and medical experts agree that you should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day to keep adequate levels of hydration. You might need to drink more if you consume dehydrating agents like caffeine during the day.
It may help you drink the water you need to if you understand the advantages that hydration can have for the look and feel of your smile. Read on to find three of the many oral health benefits you can experience when you drink plenty of water.
Enhance Your Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily are important steps in your oral hygiene routine. You must scrub away plaque and other residues in a timely fashion to avoid these particles eating away at your smile and causing lasting dental damage.
However, you consume substances in between your teeth-brushing regimens that could contribute to plaque formation. Drinking water is a good way to rinse lingering food particles from your mouth when you do not have a chance to grab a toothbrush.
This way, you can further reduce your chance of dental problems caused by plaque buildup. This will leave you with a fresher, cleaner, and healthier smile. The effort can also lower your risk of forming bad breath.
Fight Dry Mouth Complications
When you become dehydrated, your mouth will produce less saliva as a result. This will leave you with dry mouth, an uncomfortable condition that makes the mouth feel tacky and sticky. But the dry oral environment can put your smile in danger as well.
It allows natural oral bacteria to spread with less difficulty across your teeth where they can infect your gums. Gum disease, an infection of the gum tissue, is hard to eradicate and can lead to severe damage to your smile, including tooth loss.
Prevent gum disease by eliminating risk factors like dry mouth. You can do this by staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water. If you have chronic dry mouth not resolved by drinking water, talk to your dentist.
Strengthen Your Teeth
Your teeth feature a hard outer layer called enamel that keeps them protected from wear and tear as you bite and chew throughout the day. But over time, the enamel might erode or suffer damage from tooth decay, and once gone, the enamel will not regenerate. This can put you in danger of major dental problems, and you might feel tooth sensitivity or other discomfort.
You can strengthen your teeth with a substance called fluoride. This naturally occurring mineral is found in tap water. So when you drink it, fluoride will absorb into your teeth and fortify the enamel.
This makes the teeth better able to fight cavities and surface stains. Then you can ensure your smile continues to look and feel its best. Find more preventative dental care tips when you visit your dentist.