Why Your Dentist Wants You to Drink More Water for Healthy Teeth
As dentists, we know you naturally want the best health for your family — and that means maintaining healthy teeth and gums through great dental care. You know you should brush twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once a day. You’re aware you should see a dentist every 6 months for regular checkups and cleanings. But did you know the amazing dental health benefits water has for teeth? In fact, drinking more water regularly can reduce cavities, eliminate plaque, and dramatically improve the beauty of your smile. Here’s why.
Water — Great for Dental Health!
When you think about it, water’s a pretty amazing drink. Dentists and doctors alike will tell you it’s the healthiest drink available by a long shot. And that makes sense, since 60% of our bodies are literally made out of water — you are what you drink! Staying hydrated rids your body of wastes, helps it maintain healthy nutrients and even helps your skin to glow in a healthy way. Water is not only good for you, it’s great for your teeth.
This is especially true if you drink tap water instead of bottled water. Most municipalities fortify their water supplies with fluoride — a natural mineral known as “nature’s cavity fighter.” In the right amount, it can actually help strengthen your teeth. This is especially true in children whose teeth are still growing and developing, but fluoride has promising benefits for adults too.
Water Naturally Cleans Your Mouth & Teeth
Water naturally cleans your mouth and teeth with every sip you drink. It washes away leftover food and residue that bacteria feast on to cause plaque and cavities. Water also naturally dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria.
Drinking juice, sports drinks, and soda leaves a sugary residue on your teeth and mouth, which is practically a gourmet buffet for these bacteria. As it feeds, the bacteria produce acid that causes cavities. It’s kind of gross, but the bacteria is actually going to the bathroom in your mouth — if you need a good reason to listen to your dentist and drink water and brush your teeth regularly.
Water Fights Dry Mouth
Saliva is actually 99% water. Not only does it help to break down and dissolve food, but it actually cleans your teeth. But when you’re low on saliva, you’ll experience dry mouth, which puts you at risk for tooth decay. Drinking water wards off dry mouth by increasing your saliva content, naturally cleaning your teeth and providing a wetter environment that’s harder for bacteria to grow and cause cavities.
Water Fights Bad Breath
Want fresher breath? Drink water. Your bad breath in the morning is actually caused by dry mouth. All that bacteria feasting down and wrecking your mouth with plaque and cavities smells pretty bad! When you drink water throughout the day, you eliminate bad breath for a fresher, healthier mouth.
How to Drink More Water for Healthier Teeth
Drinking water is a great habit to start when you’re young. But whatever your age, you can always learn to drink more of it.
Drink water at meals. Replace juice and soda with water.
For kids, give your child their own special cup to drink water from. If it has race cars, superheroes or their favorite cartoon character, even better. Make drinking water fun and part of their daily routine. It will definitely improve their visits to the dentist!
Keep your own water bottle and drink water throughout the day. If you work a desk job, keep a bottle or glass of water going. Make drinking water part of your regular routine. You’ll feel healthier and your dental health will improve.