In an effort to safeguard our smiles, and to boost oral health, it’s often a good idea to take steps to support whole-body wellness, as well. Keeping your body hydrated, for example, will go a long way toward maintaining a healthy smile. Keep reading to learn more from our Dallas dentists…
H2O for Hydration
When you are well-hydrated, your body is able to produce adequate saliva to refresh your mouth and support oral health. Many patients are surprised to learn just how much saliva does to help your smile by:
- Diluting acidic substances
- Flushing out dental debris and bacteria
- Re-mineralizing dental enamel
- Refreshing breath
Taking all of this into account, it makes sense that people who suffer from chronic dry mouth also develop more cavities than normal, as well as gum disease.
Now, technically, you are hydrating when you drink any beverage. There are reasons, however, to reach for water over other options like juice, soda, and coffee/tea.
The first reason is that water contains a fluoride. This naturally occurring mineral actually helps to strengthen dental enamel, so that your smile can better resist harmful or a bacteria and acids.
Importantly, water delivers hydration benefits without exposing your smile to acidic substances, sugars, or discoloring agents.
Tips & Strategies
The good news is that it’s fairly easy to improve your hydration levels and support a healthy smile. If your goal is to drink more water, you may want to try some of these tips and tricks to keep you on track…
- Make a point to swap one sugary or acidic beverage for plain water every day
- Carry a water bottle with you, so that you always have water handy
- Use a large water bottle that allows you to keep track of how much you’re consuming
- Track the amount of water you’re drinking using a planner or calendar
- Set alarms or reminders to prompt you to drink water at specific times
Improving the way your smile looks and feels is easier than you may think. As you can see, it’s easy to get started, and you’ll likely notice benefits right away!
If you would like more information about preventive dental care, hydration, and oral health, please reach out to our Dallas dentists to speak to a member of our team or to schedule a personal consultation!