5 Ways Water Benefits Your Oral Health
Drinking water on a regular basis is important to your overall health, and sadly, most people drink a lot less water than they should. Your body is made up of about 60 percent water, and it needs to be replenished because your body uses it to distribute nutrients, expel waste, and much more. Sipping water throughout your day and staying hydrated is also remarkably beneficial to your oral health.
Water is fundamental to life and therefore all of your bodily systems. With that in mind, let us consider five ways in which water not only maintains but bolsters good oral health.
1. Prevents xerostomia
Xerostomia is the technical term for dry mouth. Your saliva, which is made up of about 99 percent water, is integral to your oral health. When your mouth is dry, it is more difficult to chew and swallow. You also become more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. This is because saliva cleans your teeth and gums by washing away food particles, bacteria, and acid. Your saliva also contains various agents that inhibit bacterial growth and suppress various aspects of the bacteria in your oral microbiome. Saliva is also fundamental to the remineralization of your tooth enamel because it distributes trace minerals like fluoride, calcium, and phosphate around the mouth to all of the teeth that may need that boost.
2. Washes away bacteria
Your saliva is not solely responsible for washing away bacteria, acids, and food particles. The liquids you drink assist in that manner as well. Of course, many of the liquids people drink—juices, sodas, sports drinks—are ineffective in this regard since they introduce more simple carbs to feed oral bacteria as well as acids. Water has none of these drawbacks. It not only dislodges food particles and rinses away food particles and bacteria but dilutes acids in order to mitigate the erosion of your tooth enamel.
3. Water has zero calories
You can drink as much water as you like without any concern for how it may affect your diet. It will not lead to weight gain and can actually help you lose weight. It contains minerals that strengthen your teeth, and it has none of the simple carbs and acids that can contribute to oral health problems.
4. Helps avoid halitosis
Bacteria can thrive in a dry mouth, which is why morning breath is so common. But morning breath can be avoided by keeping hydrated throughout the day and kicking your day off with a glass of water. Drinking a lot of water means saliva can do its job and making that job easier, and saliva not only washes bacteria away but helps to suppress the aspects of oral bacteria that cause unpleasant odors.
5. Helps avoid diabetes
Sugary beverages are a key factor in obesity rates in the United States, and people who consume just one soda or other sugary drink a day are 26 percent more prone to type 2 diabetes. Research has also revealed a causal relationship between type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease. By drinking more water, you are eliminating these unhealthy drink choices, but also, proper hydration plays an important role in modulating blood glucose and thus helps to avoid high blood sugar levels.
Hydrate for a Healthier Mouth
Regular water drinking needs to be part of your routine, just like brushing and flossing. Many health professionals recommend having a water container on hand at all times so that you can sip water throughout your day. To keep your smile healthy and strong, it is also imperative that you visit Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence every six months to have your teeth cleaned and a dental exam performed. Call us at 480 585 1853 to schedule your next appointment with Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS.
