From a young age, we know that our bodies consist primarily of water and that staying hydrated is crucial to good overall health. Low levels of hydration can contribute to many medical concerns, including your dental health.
Dentists and other medical professionals recommend drinking at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day to keep your mouth healthy. Dr. Shawna Hoffert, a dentist in Asheville, NC, describes the oral health benefits you can experience if you drink plenty of water.
Boost Oral Hygiene
To maintain good oral health, you keep up with your oral hygiene, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. However, we consume substances between these oral hygiene regimens that can contribute to plaque build-up.
Throughout your day, plaque forms over your teeth and can damage your tooth enamel. If you drink water, you can rinse lingering food particles from your mouth, leaving your mouth cleaner and feeling refreshed. This can lower your risk of developing dental concerns like tooth decay.
Avoid Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is an unpleasant sensation that can also lead to a heightened risk of dental problems. The condition can occur if you are dehydrated because your saliva production decreases.
This dry environment allows bacteria to spread more freely through your mouth, increasing the chances of contracting oral infections, including gum disease. Dentists can treat gum problems with periodontal therapy, but you can prevent these issues by staying hydrated.
Choose the Healthiest Beverage
Water is a healthier beverage option than soft drinks for many reasons. It has zero calories and can contain fluoride, which strengthens your tooth enamel, allowing teeth to better resist dental damage.
Water also does not have added sugar, a substance notoriously for harming your teeth. This is because sugar reacts with bacteria in your mouth to become acidic and eat away at your enamel.
This beverage is free of tannins, a substance that can stain your teeth over time, unlike dark-colored drinks like coffee or tea. You can worry less about harming your smile if you choose to drink water over other beverages.
Schedule a Dentist Appointment in Asheville, NC
Red Maple Dental offers periodontal therapy and other general dental treatments, including both preventative and emergency dentistry. Dr. Hoffert is an expert dentist, also specializing in cosmetic and restorative treatments for patients in Asheville, NC. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 828.358.1925.