Staying hydrated is so important in the summer heat, but it can benefit your smile year-round. Consistently drinking water increases saliva production, balances acids, and washes away food debris throughout the day. Drinking water can even strengthen your teeth!
Saliva production is crucial to a healthy mouth, and drinking plenty of water ensures you’re producing enough. Dry mouth can cause an excess of bacteria to grow in your mouth which results in bad breath. Not only does it keep things from drying out, but your saliva also contains minerals that keep your teeth strong.
Additionally, water helps wash away food particles and sugars that may be hanging out after meals. While nothing removes these things like brushing and flossing, drinking water helps manage this throughout the day. When food particles and sugars are left on the teeth for too long, they cause harmful bacteria to grow and eventually wear away our enamel. Without water to dilute the acids our mouth naturally produces, they begin to cause erosion which leads to cavities.
While bottled and filtered water do not contain fluoride, some communities can find it in their tap water. Charlotte water contains around 0.68 to 0.7 mg/L which is within the recommended limit. Fluoride has been linked to stopping the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, strengthening enamel, and even helping to repair parts of our teeth that have become weak.
Think of drinking water as giving your teeth a bath! It’s best to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. Drinking a glass of water during and after meals can also be very beneficial as it can rinse away any food that may have been left behind. Whether you opt for water that contains fluoride or not, staying hydrated helps keep you and your smile healthy!