Is drinking water good for your teeth?

Drinking plenty of water helps to keep your smile clean and healthy.

When it comes to enjoying overall wellness, one of the simplest and most important things you can do for your body is to drink plenty of water every day. Water keeps us hydrated and allows our bodies to function as they should. By drinking enough water, it is often possible to prevent issues like headaches and fatigue, and to stay focused and energised as we go about our daily tasks. When it comes to maintaining our oral health, water plays a key role — read on to find out how water can benefit your teeth and keep your smile in good condition…

1. It prevents dry mouth

By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, it is often possible to prevent your mouth from drying out. Dry mouth is an issue that occurs when saliva production decreases for some reason — it can be caused by certain medical concerns, as well as some types of medication. When there is not enough saliva in the mouth, issues like gum disease and tooth decay are more likely to occur as the mouth cannot naturally clean away food debris, bacteria and plaque.

2. It cleans your mouth

One of the best ways to wash away leftover food particles and bacteria from between the teeth and other hard-to-reach areas of the mouth is to drink water regularly throughout the day. It is a good idea to drink some water after every meal and snack as this can reduce the damaging effects of sugar and acids on the teeth. Water can also help to neutralise the pH of your saliva so that harmful bacteria cannot multiply and grow in your mouth.

3. It strengthens your teeth

Most sources of drinking water contain fluoride, which is a naturally-occurring mineral. The mineral helps to strengthen the enamel of the teeth and can even reduce one’s risk of tooth decay and cavities. In fact, fluoride can also reverse the early signs of tooth decay and rebuild weakened tooth enamel in a process known as remineralisation.

Tips for drinking enough water

If you don’t drink as much water as you should and you would like to increase your daily intake, you might find it helpful to carry a water bottle around with you. This will serve as a constant reminder to stay hydrated and reduce the temptation of drinking another (less healthy) beverage when you are thirsty.

Try to drink water frequently during the day, rather than drinking a large amount all at once. Sipping on small amounts often is less likely to make you feel full and bloated, and will also ensure that your body is absorbing water throughout the day.

How can we help?

At Kitchener Street Dental, we understand that there is an important connection between your oral health and your overall sense of wellbeing. For this reason, we are available to address any questions about your lifestyle, nutrition and oral hygiene habits and how these factors could be impacting your smile. When you come in and see us, we encourage you to raise any concerns that you have — we will provide you with all the information that you need to enjoy optimal oral health.

In order to maintain your oral health, we offer a range of general dentistry services. We encourage all of our patients to attend regular dental appointments so that we can identify and treat any issues at an early stage. Ideally, you should come in and see us every six months for a routine maintenance visit, which includes a full examination, scale and clean and a fluoride application.

To find out more about out general dentistry services or what to expect from a routine visit, please have a look here.

If you would like to come in and see us, book an appointment here or give us a call on 07 4638 5111.