When you think of oral health and dental hygiene, you probably picturing brushing your teeth and flossing. But there are things you can do in your everyday life and throughout your daily routine that can help boost your dental health without spending a long time in front of the bathroom mirror cleaning every crevice of your teeth. Drinking water regularly is beneficial to multiple aspects of your health, including your teeth.
Drinking water regularly can have a huge impact on your dental health in ways you probably don’t think about.
While brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash are the keys to good dental health, you can boost your hygiene with daily habits that boost your water intake and help to keep your mouth hydrates, clean, and free of odor causing bacteria.
Below are some examples of how water can help your oral health.
Keep Your Mouth Hydrated
Water hydrates your body, but you probably don’t think about the specific parts of your body. Your mouth needs to be hydrates, probably more than many parts of your body. Saliva does the important job of preventing tooth decay thanks to minerals like calcium that exist in saliva. Drinking water helps keep your mouth hydrated and prevent dry mouth which can result in bacteria build up and even infection.
Combats Bad Breath
Bad breath is caused by a buildup of bacteria that latches onto the teeth, seeking excess sugars, and eats through enamel. That’s why it’s tied to gum and tooth disease and decay. Water can help wash the bacteria and its food source away. Water contains no sugar which makes it the perfect method for rinsing away food debris and bacteria, preventing bad breath and the enamel decay that comes with it.
Benefits of Fluoride
Drinking water with fluoride in it, such as tap water, can be hugely beneficial to your dental health. Fluoride is in most toothpastes and comes free in tap water. It’s an important cavity fighter that naturally fights the processes that cause cavities and can be found in a lot of drinking water that comes through taps. Check with your municipality, but most will put fluoride in their tap water.
Related Questions
How can I help keep track of my water intake?
Many people will make a daily chart for water goals and mark down each time they’ve had a certain amount towards the goal. In fact, many water bottles come with trackers stenciled into their design to help you know exactly how much you drank.
How can I get my kids to drink more water?
The best way to promote good water habits for your child is to do it yourself. Children mimic what they see and the habits of their parents, so if they see you making an effort to drink more water, they will want to do the same. Also make sure to offer water to them throughout the day and with meals instead of juice or soda.
Talk to your dentist about the benefits of drinking water and other ways to keep your teeth healthy. Questions? Our dental office in Commerce Twp is committed to educating and helping patients have a better understanding of what it takes to achieve and maintain optimal dental health and good oral health practices.
As a full-service dental clinic with 20+ years’ experience, Sedki Dentistry offers the latest in modern dentistry, including a comprehensive list of general dentistry, restorative dental treatments and cosmetic dental care services to meet the needs of your entire family. Call today for a Free consultation and get a personalized dental experience!