Does Drinking Water Protect Your Teeth? 

Drinking water is important for every aspect of our health. It’s important to stay hydrated in more ways than one, but does drinking water help your teeth, too? The short answer: yes! If you want to know why you should stay hydrated for the benefit of your teeth, continue reading this article!

Hydration and Your Smile

Drinking water helps keep your teeth healthy due to the fact that it keeps your saliva levels high. Saliva is important for neutralizing harmful acids on our teeth, allowing us to maintain a greater pH balance in our mouths. Drinking water also cleanses bacteria away from the mouth, leaving little room for cavity-causing bacteria to take hold.

Water also helps prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva flow in the mouth. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which help to repair teeth after they’ve been damaged.

Many people find that drinking water can also provide an overall boost in health. Since it improves your oral health, it only makes sense that it would make you feel better overall.

Water is a simple, cheap way to keep your smile healthy and happy. The next time you’re thirsty, drink a glass of water for an instant boost in health!

Benefits of Tap Water

Tap water found in many American communities has fluoride, which can help fight cavities. Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities (also called tooth decay) by about 25% in children and adults. By preventing cavities, community water fluoridation has been shown to be the most efficient and cost-effective way to deliver fluoride to everyone in a community,

Acid and Your Teeth

Foods and beverages that are high in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. This changes the appearance of your teeth and opens the door for bacteria that can cause cavities or infection. If you’re going to enjoy acidic foods and beverages, drinking water can help wash away remaining acid that is left on your teeth. If you don’t, you could continue to experience erosion.

What Does Tooth Erosion Do to My Teeth?

Tooth erosion is permanent. If your enamel has started to wear away, MouthHealthy by the American Dental Association explains you may:

• Feel pain or sensitivity when consuming hot, cold or sweet drinks
• Notice a yellowish discoloration of the teeth
• Find that your fillings have changed
• Face greater risks for more cavities over time
• Develop an abscess, in very extreme cases 
• Experience tooth loss, also in very extreme cases

Once erosion occurs, you may need fillings, crowns, a root canal or even tooth removal. Veneers may also be an option to restore the look of your smile.

How Can I Prevent Tooth Erosion?

You can help prevent tooth erosion by limiting your intake of acidic foods and beverages, which includes soda, fruit juices, sports drinks and energy drinks. When you do drink them, be sure to drink plenty of water in between. Acidic foods like citrus fruits can also cause enamel erosion if you eat them often. Limit your intake of these foods, too.

Good oral hygiene is also important for helping prevent tooth erosion. Brush twice a day for two minutes at a time and use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove plaque that builds up on your teeth. You can also schedule regular dental cleanings at least once every six months. 

Other Ways to Protect Your Teeth 

Aside from drinking plenty of water, you can also:

• Eat more foods and drinks that are low in sugar and acid.
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after eating. Rather, rinse your mouth gently with water only and wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth. Right after eating and drinking, your teeth are left in a vulnerable state. If you brush right after, you could easily be damaging your teeth.
• Talk with Dr. Kevin Varley about fluoride treatments to further protect your teeth.
• Brush your teeth twice per day, for two minutes at a time.
• Use floss once a day to clean between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t.
• Visit your dentist every 6 months — or as recommended by Stonebrook Family Dental. 

By taking care of your teeth, mouth and gums, you can be on the way to keeping them healthy. Why not start today?

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental

While drinking water is important, it’s not the only thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy. If you’re overdue for an appointment, call today to schedule an appointment at Stonebrook Family Dental: (303) 872-7907.