Drink Your Way to a Healthier Smile

A new year brings 365 new opportunities to do something good for your health. Whether you have a goal to exercise more, lose weight, or maintain a healthy diet – drinking more water easily fits into those goals and will give you the added benefit of a healthier smile.

Water is an essential element of life. Since the human body is made up of 60% water, you must treat your water intake as a critical component to your overall health. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest things that you can do, and is necessary for your body to perform at its highest capacity. Listed below are ways that water directly impacts your smile.

1. Water is a natural cavity-fighter. Most water systems in the cities and suburbs of America have fluorinated water. Water fluoridation was implemented to reduce tooth decay in the American population. This is a governmental program that was instituted to help those who did not regularly visit the dentist have a preventative means of protecting their teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps ward off tooth decay. The health of a person’s smile is a direct indicator of his or her overall health, so fluorinated water is a small step to promote oral health.
2. Water is a natural mouthwash. Nothing should ever take the place of flossing and brushing, but water is a natural mouthwash that helps to wash away food particles and residue after eating. Millions of oral bacteria produce acids that damage the teeth by eating away tooth enamel and causing cavities. Water helps to dilute these acids so that they do not adhere to the teeth and promote tooth decay. By washing away damaging, acid-producing plaque, water naturally freshens the breath after snacks and meals.
3. Water is a natural moisturizer. Dry mouth is a serious oral health condition that can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and severe halitosis. A dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva production. Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against tooth decay because it keeps the mouth moist to prevent plaque buildup. Drinking water promotes a healthy environment for your teeth and gums, and it helps to rinse away damaging bacteria before they adhere to your teeth.

The entire staff at Buford Family Dental encourages you to make drinking more water a goal in 2021. It is a simple way to a healthier smile!