From a young age, we understand the importance that water plays in our overall wellbeing, and this extends to the health of our teeth and gums as well. Drinking water can keep your smile looking and feeling its best and prevent serious dental concerns.
Dentists and other medical professionals agree that you should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day to maintain adequate hydration levels. Dr. Caleb Robinson, an expert dentist located in New Philadelphia, OH, describes three benefits you can notice in your smile when you stay hydrated.
Oral Health Advantages from Drinking Water
Boost Your Oral Hygiene
You brush your teeth twice each day and floss daily to remove plaque and other residues from your smile, keeping your mouth clean and healthy. This prevents plaque from eroding your enamel and causing tooth decay, gum disease, or other dental concerns.
However, you consume substances between these oral hygiene regimens that can contribute to plaque formation over your teeth. Drinking a glass of water can rinse lingering food particles from your mouth after a meal, giving your oral hygiene a boost. This will also prevent the formation of bad breath and other unpleasant conditions.
Avert Dry Mouth
Low levels of hydration can reduce saliva production, which may cause an uncomfortable condition called dry mouth. This dry environment allows natural bacteria in your mouth to spread across your teeth more easily, heightening your risk for oral infections such as gum disease.
Advanced gum disease can cause irreversible dental damage, including tooth loss. It will also require treatment from a dental professional to eradicate, so dentists highly suggest preventative care when it comes to periodontal health. You can help avoid gum disease by drinking plenty of water.
Experience Enhanced Wellness Benefits
Water is a healthier drink choice compared to other popular beverage options, like soft drinks. It has zero calories and no added sugar. Sugar can be harmful for your dental health because it reacts with your mouth’s natural bacteria to become acidic, which can lead to enamel erosion and tooth decay.
Water may also contain fluoride, a substance that can strengthen tooth enamel. This allows your smile to better resist acids that could deteriorate the structure and appearance of your smile. This means you could be less likely to get cavities or suffer from tooth discoloration that could require extensive dental work to amend.
Get More Oral Health Tips from Your New Philadelphia, OH Dentist
Dr. Robinson is a highly qualified dentist offering periodontal disease treatment and other restorative dentistry solutions to patients in New Philadelphia, OH. Our practice also specializes in cosmetic and general dentistry, including preventative dental care, for patients of all ages. If you feel nervous about upcoming dental work, ask your dental professional about sedation dentistry options. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office by phone at 330.969.6343 or reach one of our staff members online.