The human body consists of about 60% water. This means that you should drink water to replenish and refresh your body consistently throughout the day. If you become dehydrated due to a lack of enough water in your system, you could suffer medical consequences, which may extend to your smile.
Dentists and medical professionals agree that you should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day to maintain adequate levels of hydration. This effort can preserve your teeth and gums as well as the rest of your body. Read on to discover how staying hydrated can keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
3 Oral Health Benefits from Drinking Water
Rinse Residues from Your Smile
Natural bacteria in our mouth create a film of plaque on our teeth every day. This plaque could damage our teeth and gums, which is why we remove it routinely with oral hygiene practices.
Though we brush our teeth twice a day and floss daily, we also consume substances that contribute to plaque formation between these oral hygiene regimens. A good way to boost the cleanliness of our smiles in the middle of the day is to drink a glass of water.
The water rinses plaque, lingering food particles, and other residues from our teeth. This will lower the risk of garnering dental problems. It will also stave off bad breath and other embarrassing dental conditions because it gets rid of bits of food that could lead to halitosis if left in our mouths.
Fight Dry Mouth Conditions
Low levels of hydration will decrease the amount of saliva you produce. This creates a dry, uncomfortable feeling in your mouth which will also put your teeth and gums in danger.
Dry mouth will heighten your risk of getting oral infections because bacteria can spread more easily across your teeth. Periodontal disease, for instance, is an infection of the gum tissue that manifests with swelling, bleeding, and inflamed gums.
If this disease progresses, it will reach the tooth root and jawbone which may result in tooth loss. Dentists recommend preventative measures when it comes to gum health. You can stave off this disease by staying hydrated and avoiding dry mouth.
Choose a Beverage with Wellness Advantages
Compared to other popular beverages, water is a healthy drink choice. It has zero calories and contains no added sugar. Beverages that have high sugar content, like soft drinks, can give you dental damage.
Sugar reacts with the bacteria in your mouth to become acidic. The acid then erodes the enamel of your teeth, heightening your risk of getting cavities. You should avoid added sugar and choose a beverage like water that will benefit your smile.
Water can contain fluoride, a material that strengthens your tooth enamel. Fortified enamel can better stave off cavities, surface stains, and other dental concerns. Ask your dentist during your next visit about the additional wellness advantages of drinking water.