Keeping your smile clean and healthy doesn’t just involve brushing and flossing appropriately. Every thing that you eat and drink can affect your oral health, so you want to be mindful about your dietary habits.
There is one substance that is hugely beneficial for your smile, and, luckily, it’s readily available: water! Keep reading to learn more from our Toluca Lake dentists about how water helps people maintain optimal oral health.
You already know that it’s important to stay hydrated for whole-body health, but there are some specific ways in which water helps your smile.
First of all, when you drink water, you trigger your body to produce saliva. This is a good thing because saliva works to re-mineralize dental enamel and neutralize harmful oral bacteria. If you are chronically dehydrated, your body will not be able to produce enough saliva to keep your smile healthy. Patients who deal with chronic dry mouth, in fact, experience higher rates of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, than those who do not suffer from dry mouth.
Another thing to consider is that, at least in the United States, water is fluoridated. This means that it has been enhanced with fluoride, a natural mineral that helps to build strong teeth. Fluoride fortifies your enamel, and makes it less susceptible to developing infections and breaking due to dental trauma.
The next time that you go to the fridge and reach for a soda or a juice, try to switch out that sugary beverage for a glass of water. Your smile will look better, feel fresher, and be stronger in the long-run.
If you want to learn more about things that you can do to better care for your smile at home, you can always contact our Toluca Lake dentists to schedule a personal consultation. Call our office to speak to a member of our team, or use the Contact Us page on our site to submit a question, and we’ll get right back to you!