It is crucial to overall well-being, and the health of the mouth is just as crucial. Everyone knows how healthy it is for overall well-being to be hydrated through the consumption of water but may not yet realize how healthy it is to be adequately hydrated in regard to healthy gums, teeth, and mouth. From the moment you wake up in the morning until you lay your head on the pillow at night, the amount of water you consume is impacting the health of your smile in an amazing way.
The relationship between good oral health and achieving hydration is most certainly going to be an afterthought but at times will be the dividing line between avoiding such fairly straightforward oral health issues as dry mouth, tooth decay, and gum disease. So, therefore, is water beneficial to oral health, and how exactly is it going to work for your gums and teeth? Today’s post responds to the question of how being adequately hydrated connects to your oral health, the ideal drink of choice to keep your teeth healthy, and how to have the easy transition.
The Link between Oral Hydration and Oral Health
It is convenient when trying to get a notion regarding how dehydration has to do with oral health to talk about the job your mouth does to keep the rest of the body in peak working condition. Your mouth, gums, teeth, and salivary glands all help with digestion, immunity, and overall wellness.
The Role of Saliva in Oral Well-being
Saliva is a key element of a healthy smile. Saliva is your body’s defense from the inside against plaque, bacteria, and food. Saliva washes away debris, neutralizes acid, and shields tooth enamel against acid wear. Saliva even transports minerals like calcium and phosphate to remineralize your teeth and stop early tooth decay in its tracks.
Sufficient water intake is necessary for the generation of sufficient saliva. During hydration, your body can generate the appropriate amount of saliva to protect your mouth. But during dehydration, it may decrease saliva generation, resulting in dry mouth (xerostomia). The mouth will be very dry under the condition and more susceptible to smelly bacteria and plaque formation, causing cavities, gum disease, and other oral diseases.
Saliva is also a natural defense against ugly acids that oral bacteria produce, the leading culprit for rotting teeth. Dehydration strips the body of its ability to neutralize acids, rendering the body an excellent target for cavities and loss of enamel. Drinking plenty of water keeps saliva functioning at optimum levels, allowing for a continuous barrier against the naughty actions of bacteria.
Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Dehydration will lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dry mouth syndrome, the dehydrating action, is a bacteria culture medium. Bacteria produce cavities, gingivitis, and plaque, the first stage of gum disease. If your mouth isn’t well-hydrated, it will be harder to remove food particles and bacteria, and there is a higher risk of contracting oral diseases.
Continuous drinking of water leads to mouth purification, removal of harmful acids, and the prevention of the formation of pathogenic bacteria. Proper consumption of water also keeps gums healthy and infection-resistant. Dehydration will, however, lead to inflammation and redness in the gums to exacerbate conditions like gingivitis.
Water also kills bad breath, a common illness in people with dry mouth. When your mouth lacks lubrication, bacteria grow and start breaking down food particles in the mouth and forming stinky-smelling molecules. Drinking water all day will stop these bacteria and bad breath and freshen up your mouth all day.
Why Water Is the Best Drink for Teeth
To hydrate, some people use other fluids such as fruit juice, soda, or coffee. They are not healthy for the teeth, however. Sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice are the mouth’s nasty bacteria fuel, which leads to plaque, tooth decay, and enamel loss. Even acidic beverages like coffee and citrus juices can be a perpetrator of tooth sensitivity and enamel loss.
And vice versa, water is your best option for your teeth. Water contains no calories, no sugar, and is tooth-friendly. Consuming water after food reduces the ease with which food particles and acid that cause plaque formation and reduces tooth decay. Water is even an acidic-neutral product since it will not reduce the pH value in the mouth because other acidic drinks dissolve enamel.
Yet another benefit of drinking water is that it keeps the mouth healthy at a good pH level. The pH of the mouth has a significant role to play in keeping your teeth healthy. If the mouth is acidic, your teeth can be dissolved and more susceptible to getting cavities. Water will neutralize acids and create a more alkaline environment that can keep your teeth healthy.
The Benefits of Fluoridated Water
Community water supplies are fluoridated in much of the world to give your teeth an added layer of protection. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been proven to harden tooth enamel and prevent cavities from developing. Drinking fluoridated water can remineralize decayed enamel, reverse tooth decay at its earliest stages, and defend your teeth against decay.
Fluoride is wonderful in small amounts and is especially beneficial for people who have a tendency to get cavities. Although most people use fluoride toothpaste as an addition, drinking water with fluoride gives one continuous exposure to fluoride throughout the day that continues to fortify and make the teeth healthy. Despite continuing controversy over fluoridation of community water systems, studies persist in showing that consumption of fluoridated drinking water is extremely beneficial in combating tooth decay, particularly among children. You’re already doing something for your mouth if you live in a fluoridated area.
Although the topic of this blog is the oral cavity, remember that hydration affects more than your oral cavity. The human body is made up of roughly 60% water, and the entire organ system of the body needs water in order to function. Hydration allows the body to regulate its temperature, transport nutrients, and remove toxins. Dehydration has far-reaching consequences, from your skin to your gut, and even elevates the risk of some chronic diseases such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections. It can also result in poor cognitive function, such as the inability to concentrate, headache, and fatigue.
Along with keeping your teeth and gums healthy, adequate hydration keeps your skin healthy, digests food properly, increases energy, and helps joints. Keeping yourself hydrated benefits not just your mouth but your overall health as well.
Tips for Staying Hydrated for Better Oral Health
As we know that water is essential to our oral wellness, how can we guarantee that we drink sufficient water every day? Some simple tips on how to hydrate and keep your smile intact are listed below.
Drink Water at Fixed Intervals during the Day
Do not wait until you feel thirsty, as thirst itself is a sign that you are already slightly dehydrated. Try to drink water at fixed intervals during the day even if you do not feel thirsty. Drink water between meals and after meals so that food particles and bacteria are washed out of the mouth.
Carry a Water Bottle
Make sure you carry a water bottle with you wherever you are. At home, at work, or even when you run errands, having water handy will make you drink more water and stay better hydrated.
Swill Down Acidic or Sweet Drinks
Swilling down sweet or acidic drinks such as soda or coffee and then swilling down with water will loosen loose sugar and neutralize acids. This will make tooth decay too feasible besides being able to prevent tooth enamel erosion.
Choose Water Over Sweets
Whenever possible, have water over sweet liquids like soda, energy drinks, and fruit juice. These fluids may cause cavities and plaque to form, so replacing them with water is an effortless but surefire way to protect your teeth.
Hydrating Foods
Apart from consuming water, consume hydrating foods. Water-dense foods like cucumbers, watermelons, and oranges can raise your level of hydration without offering excess calories to the body but essential nutrients to the body for wellness and health.
Take Warning Signs of Dehydration seriously
If you experience dry mouth, bad breath, and tiredness, these are warning signs of dehydration that you are dehydrated and need to have more water intake. You have to take in more water for hydration if you have these signs.
Regular Checkup
Regular checkups play a very significant role in ensuring that there is a healthy oral space. If you live in or around Leabrook, you can use a Leabrook dentist, such as Walsh Dental, to take care of your oral health and provide you with confidence that your gums and teeth are healthy. Dentists can even help you on how to hydrate and why oral health demands you to hydrate.
Conclusion
Mouth hydration is typically the forgotten part of mouth health, but it is a very crucial element of a healthy mouth. Healthy water intake enables saliva production, prevents tooth rot, reduces gum infection, and protects your teeth from acidic corrosion. Water is the perfect beverage for your teeth since it contains no sugar, no acid, and no calories.
By prioritizing hydration in your life, you can enjoy healthier oral health, fresher breath, and a whiter smile. If you need expert oral health care, see a reliable dentist in Leabrook, such as Walsh Dental. If you need preventative care or solutions to a portion of your dental issue, they can assist you in enjoying healthier, hydrated teeth. Contact us today for more information!