Staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining your overall wellness because the human body consists primarily of water. You might not realize that drinking water will prove especially important to your oral health.
Dentists and health experts agree that you should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day to maintain adequate hydration. But the act of drinking water offers several key advantages to the look and feel of your smile. Read on to discover three of the many benefits you can bring to your smile when you drink plenty of water.
Enhance Your Oral Cleanliness
Our mouths contain natural bacteria that create a film of plaque over teeth. We must remove plaque and lingering food particles from our teeth through oral hygiene. Otherwise, bacteria can spread and carry a high risk of infections and other dental concerns.
For this reason, you brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once a day. However, we also consume substances between these oral hygiene routines that can contribute to plaque formation. You can give your oral cleanliness a boost by drinking water after a meal.
The water will rinse away bits of food or residues on your teeth. This way, you can lower the chance of bacteria spreading and wreaking havoc on your smile. Plus, you can wash away elements that might otherwise give you bad breath.
Combat Dangerous Dry Mouth
If you do not drink enough water, your mouth will produce less saliva as a result of inadequate hydration levels. This can leave you with an uncomfortable sensation known as dry mouth. Dry mouth will also allow oral bacteria to travel with greater ease through the mouth, increasing your risk of infections like gum disease.
You will need treatment from a dentist to get rid of gum disease. So when it comes to periodontal health, you should prioritize preventative care like addressing risk factors such as dry mouth.
Drinking plenty of water can ensure you do not become dehydrated. And it can also fight acute cases of dry mouth by introducing moisture to the dry oral environment.
Strengthen Your Dental Structure
You can strengthen your teeth by drinking water that contains fluoride like tap water. This naturally occurring mineral absorbs into the teeth as you consume it where it fortifies the enamel, the outer layer of a tooth. The enamel functions as a shield to protect the tooth’s vulnerable interior.
Plaque and other external threats may erode enamel over time, and then the teeth could be in danger of decay. Fluoride will make the teeth strong enough to resist these dangers. Then you can see a lower risk of cavities and other oral health concerns.
Preventative efforts like staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water will help you avoid irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. And you can reduce the chances of requiring extra dental work to amend these issues. Learn more about preventive dentistry by giving your dentist a call.