07 Nov The Many Dental Benefits of Water
We all know that drinking water is good for our bodies, but you may not know that staying hydrated also plays an important role in our dental health. Our team at Hicks Dental Group in Prescott values your overall health—and drinking more water is one of the best things you can do for your smile and your whole body! Check out these dental benefits of water:
1. Cleans your mouth
Water can naturally wash away unwanted food particles and sugar that sticks to your teeth after eating—it kind of acts like a natural toothbrush. Swishing water after meals is a great way to do this, but simply drinking water throughout the day is also important to keep the teeth clean and prevent cavities.
2. Neutralizes the acidity in your mouth
As we stated earlier, water helps wash away the sugar that sticks to your teeth after eating and drinking. That is important because sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth, forming acids that wear away the enamel. Enamel is the protective outer layer of your teeth, and once it is gone, it can’t be restored.
3. Keeps your pearly whites white
Certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries, can stain your teeth. Swishing water after eating and drinking these foods and beverages can wash the surface of your teeth and help keep them bright and beautiful.
4. Moistens your mouth
Saliva is the first defense against tooth decay. It helps to wash away harmful bacteria and contains certain minerals that your enamel needs to remain tough! When your mouth is dry, and you don’t have much saliva, you are at a higher risk for getting cavities and decay. Drinking plenty of water helps dry mouth. Not only does it keep the mouth moist, it also stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva, keeping the mouth moist all day long.
5. Staves off bad breath
Staying hydrated is an excellent way to prevent bad breath. Why? Because dry mouth is a leading cause of bad breath. Saliva that is stimulated by drinking water not only moistens the mouth and neutralizes acids produced by plaque, it also washes away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Staying well-hydrated can particularly help with bad morning breath.
Give us a Call!
In addition to these dental benefits of water, staying hydrated also boosts your mood and your energy and can help with weight management, so drink up! Whether you’re a new patient or haven’t been in to see us for your six-month cleaning, give us a call today to schedule an appointment. Our team at Hicks Dental Group in Prescott looks forward to helping you keep your smile beautiful and healthy!
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