Why Dentists Want You to Drink More Water

There is a big possibility you are not drinking enough water – we know kids aren’t drinking enough water. According to WebMD, “A staggering 20% of the children in the U.S. don’t drink a drop of water from tap or bottled sources.” Adults aren’t much better. This is a major problem. There is a clear correlation between those who don’t drink enough water and poor health, including obesity.

Plus, your Houston dentist will tell you that there is a correlation between those who do not drink enough water and those with poor oral health. In fact, dentists in Houston and around the world can tell you several reasons why you need to drink more water.

Water is Healthy.

Water is the healthiest beverage you can drink. It is good for your body, your skin, your muscles, your weight, and your teeth. In addition, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains, “Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your body to overheat, constipation, and kidney stones.”

Plus, studies show that those who drink less water, drink more sugary, carbonated beverages that are terrible for your teeth and your weight. Considering this fact, it is easy to see why so many kids struggle with cavities and obesity. Instead, your dentist wants you to swap your carbonated beverage for a cool glass of water.

Water Prevents Dry Mouth.

Your mouth needs saliva to fight against tooth decay. But, if you do not have enough saliva, then you may deal with dry mouth. This is a problem because there isn’t enough saliva to wash away leftover food. However, drinking water can help you produce more saliva, which will keep dry mouth at bay. Not only will drinking water help cleanse your teeth, but it will also help create more saliva to fight tooth decay.

Water Can Prevent Gingivitis.

Just as dry mouth is dangerous for tooth decay, dry gums can lead to serious problems. For example, dry gums can recede away from the teeth, which results in gingivitis. But if you stay hydrated by drinking water, then you are protecting your gums and preventing gingivitis.

Water with Fluoride is the Ultimate Cavity Fighter.

Fluoride is affectionately known as nature’s cavity fighter. That’s why many cities have started to add fluoride to the water. Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of water with fluoride on fighting cavities. The American Dental Association reports, “In 2011, the Canadian city of Calgary stopped adding fluoride to its water. Curious about the impact, researchers compared Calgary second graders with kids in the same age group in Edmonton, a Canadian city that has had fluoridated water since 1967. Their research […] found children in non-fluoridated Calgary had more tooth decay than children in the city with uninterrupted fluoridation.” See our All Your Questions About Fluoride blog to learn even more about the power of fluoride.

Water Cleans Your Mouth and Teeth.

While swishing with water doesn’t replace brushing your teeth for two minutes with toothpaste twice a day, it still helps clean your mouth and teeth. Water washes away food and bacteria, as well as dilutes acid that may be in your mouth and is harmful to your enamel. That’s why Houston dentists often recommend drinking water after meals.

Water Won’t Stain Your Teeth.

There are many foods and beverages that stain your teeth, such as tomato-based sauces and wine. There are tons of people who seek professional Zoom Teeth whitening because they have stains on their teeth from their eating and drinking habits. But you know what is always safe to drink? Water! It will never stain your teeth. It is even wise to follow that bite of spaghetti or glass of red wine with a cup of water to prevent staining.

Water Helps Bad Breath.

Earlier, we discussed how water helps with dry mouth by creating more saliva. Dry mouth is also the reason why you wake up with bad breath in the morning and throughout the day. By drinking water, you can help get rid of bad breath because it washes away any remaining food particles.

Water Has Zero Calories.

Yes, it’s true. Water is calorie-free. While you may think that it is only important for your waistline, it also makes a difference when it comes to your teeth. The evidence is clear. People who don’t drink enough water are substituting it with high-calorie, sugary drinks, and snacks. In addition to weight gain, you put yourself at risk for cavities. So, not only will switching from those unhealthy drinks to water help you lose weight, but they will also help you have a brighter, healthier smile.

Water Won’t Rot Your Teeth.

We can’t stress this enough. As the CDC reports, “That data not only found that 20% of kids aren’t drinking water in a given day. It also showed that when kids didn’t drink water, they were more likely to drink sugar-sweetened beverages.” Sugar-sweetened beverages will rot your teeth; water won’t. Choosing water over these types of drinks is always the right choice.

Healthy Water Habits to Embrace

Our dentist office in Houston understands that not everyone loves drinking water – especially when there are so many other tempting beverages. But we encourage you to embrace healthy water habits. Here are some ideas to help you drink more water:

• Choose to have water at one meal of the day.
• Invest in a reusable water bottle. You may even find success with a motivational water bottle that shows you how much water you consume each day.
• Keep a water glass in your bathroom to drink first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.
• Download an app (or use your fitness tracker) that will send you reminders to drink water throughout the day.

If you want to speak to our Houston dental care team about the benefits of drinking water or fluoride, schedule an appointment with Greenspoint Dental today!

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