19 Aug Why Water is Important for Dental Health?
Our bodies are composed of roughly 60% water, which is one reason it’s so important to stay hydrated. Water helps the body absorb essential vitamins and minerals, get rid of waste, keep the skin healthy and elastic, digest food, and lubricate the joints. Believe it or not, staying hydrated also plays an important role in our dental health. As the leading holistic dentist in Prescott, our team at Prescott Dentistry values your overall health—and drinking more water is one of the best things you can do for your smile and your whole body!
It’s Like a Natural Toothbrush
Drinking water throughout the day can naturally wash away unwanted food particles and sugar that sticks to your teeth after eating. Swishing water after meals is a great way to get rid of food particles and sugar on the teeth, but simply drinking water throughout the day is also important to keep the teeth clean and prevent cavities.
It Keeps Your Mouth Moist
The first defense against tooth decay is saliva. When your saliva runs low you are at a higher risk for getting cavities and decay. Drinking plenty of water helps dry mouth. Not only does it keep the mouth moist, it also stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva, which contributes to an environment of teeth-friendly moisture throughout the day.
It Neutralizes Acid
As we said earlier, water helps wash away sugar that sticks to your teeth after eating and drinking. That is important because sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth, forming acids that wear away the enamel. Enamel is the protective outer layer of your teeth, and once it is gone, it can’t be restored.
Prevents Staining
Certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries, can stain your teeth. Swishing water after eating and drinking these foods and drinks can wash the surfaces of your teeth and help keep them bright and beautiful.
Fights Bad Breath
Staying hydrated is an excellent way to prevent bad breath since dry mouth causes bad breath. Saliva that is stimulated by drinking water not only moistens the mouth and neutralizes acids produced by plaque, it also washes away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Staying well hydrated can particularly help with bad morning breath.
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In addition to all that, water also boosts your mood and your energy and can help you maintain a healthy weight. That should be reason enough to stop what you’re doing and drink a glass of water! Your body, mind, and smile will thank you for it. For more information on how to take care of your oral health, contact Prescott Dentistry and see why we are the number one holistic dentist in Prescott.
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