Did you know that staying hydrated is essential for overall health? In fact, the human body is around 60% water and even losing 1-2% of one’s total water content can cause impaired brain function, decreased physical activity, and headaches. It’s important to drink at least eight 8 oz glasses of water per day to stay hydrated. But did you also know that drinking water has many oral health benefits? Keep reading to learn more about them!
Why Water?
Water is essential for life and helps to regulate the body’s temperature, maintain blood pressure, and transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells. When you don’t drink enough water, your body begins to ration the water it has, which can lead to dehydration. This can cause a number of adverse effects, including:
Impaired Brain Function: When you’re dehydrated, your brain doesn’t function as well as it should. You may experience difficulty thinking clearly and making decisions, along with decreased focus and concentration.
Decreased Physical Activity: Dehydration can also lead to a decrease in physical activity. You may find yourself tiring more easily or not having the energy to exercise.
Headaches: Another common symptom of dehydration is headaches. If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, it could be a sign that you’re not drinking enough water.
Since there are a variety of other beverages out there that you can drink, you may be wondering why it is so important to drink water specifically. Unlike various other types of beverages, water has no calories or sugars. This makes an ideal beverage since it can provide ample hydration without adding on unnecessary calories or sugar intake.
The Oral Health Benefits of Drinking Water
Now that we know more about how water (and a lack of) affects the body, let’s take a look at how water can affect your oral health. Specifically, we will be focusing on the oral health benefits of drinking water daily:
Keeps Your Mouth Clean
One of the oral health benefits of drinking water is that it keeps your mouth clean. When you drink water, it helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria that can cause plaque buildup. Drinking water also helps to dilute the acids in your mouth that can contribute to tooth enamel erosion.
Strengthens Tooth Enamel
Another benefit of drinking water for oral health is that it can help to strengthen your tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard, outer layer of your teeth that protects them from decay. When you drink water, it helps to replenish the minerals in your enamel (such as calcium and phosphate) that can be lost due to acidic beverages or sugary foods.
One way drinking water strengthens tooth enamel is all thanks to fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in water and helps to protect teeth against decay. It does this by making the tooth enamel more resistant to acids and bacteria. This is why water fluoridation (the addition of fluoride to public water supplies) is such an important tool in preventing tooth decay. In fact, studies have shown that water fluoridation can reduce the risk of tooth decay by up to 40%.
Prevents Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a condition in which there is not enough saliva in your mouth. Saliva is important for keeping your mouth moist and for washing away food particles and bacteria. When you don’t have enough saliva, you’re at an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Drinking water can help to prevent dry mouth by keeping your mouth moist and stimulating saliva production. In fact, people with dry mouth are encouraged to sip water frequently to help reduce dry mouth.
Improves Bad Breath
Bad breath (also known as halitosis) is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including dry mouth, certain foods, and gum disease. Drinking water can help to improve bad breath by washing away food particles and bacteria. It can also help to stimulate saliva production, which can help to keep your mouth moist and reduce bad breath.
Decreases the Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
The benefits of water don’t stop at strengthening tooth enamel – it also helps to prevent decay and gum disease. Tooth decay and gum disease are two of the most common oral health problems. One way it does this is by helping to reduce plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky film that accumulates on your teeth and can cause cavities, gingivitis, and other dental problems.
Tips for Drinking More Water
Now that we know how important water is for your overall and oral health, let’s discuss some tips to help you drink more water.
Set a daily water goal:
A great way to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to set a daily water goal. This can be anything from eight glasses of water per day to 64 ounces (two liters). Once you’ve set your goal, try to drink that amount of water each day. Certain water bottles are even equipped with markers that show you how much to drink each hour to meet your goals.
Drink water with meals:
Drinking water with your meals is a great way to help you reach your daily water goal. Not only will this help you stay hydrated, but it can also help to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Not to mention, it can cut down on your total caloric intake.
Carry a water bottle with you:
Another great way to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to carry a water bottle with you. This way, you’ll always have water on hand whenever you need it. You will also be less likely to purchase other beverages since you already have one with you.
Drink water first thing in the morning:
Drinking water first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day off right and help you reach your daily water goal. Not only will this help you stay hydrated, but it can also help to improve your overall health.
Add fruits and vegetables to your diet:
Adding fruits and vegetables to your diet is a great way to increase your water intake. This is because many fruits and vegetables are high in water content. Not only will this help you stay hydrated, but it can also help to improve your overall health.
Drink sparkling water:
If you’re not a fan of plain water, try drinking sparkling water. Sparkling water is water that has been carbonated and can be flavored with fruit or other natural flavors. This can make it more enjoyable to drink and help you reach your daily water goal. However, sparkling water may contain calories and sugars, so choose wisely.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we discussed the importance of water and the many benefits it has for your overall and oral health. Drinking enough water is essential for your overall health. It’s also important for your oral health. Water helps to keep your mouth clean, strengthen tooth enamel, prevent dry mouth, and improve bad breath. It can also decrease the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We also provided tips to help you drink more water. By following these tips, you can help to improve your overall health and reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. So, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each day. Thanks for reading!
