In the height of summer, one of the ways we all like to beat the heat is a nice, tall, cold drink. For some, that tall, cold drink is iced tea or a sports drink out of a cooler filled with ice. In this post, we’d like to make the case for skipping the drinks filled with sugar to cool down, whether they come from the supermarket or get made in your kitchen. Instead of chugging a cold drink that’s bad for your teeth and inevitably going to lead to a sugar crash in an hour or two, fill up your cup, canteen, or glass with some ice-cold water.
Not only can water cool you down and quench your thirst when you’re mowing the lawn on a hot summer day, but it can also provide some great oral health benefits without causing tooth decay. Here are some of the top ways staying hydrated with H2O this summer keeps your mouth happy and healthy.
Good Hydration Fights Dry Mouth
One of the things we warn our patients in Turlock, CA about when they take medication that causes dry mouth is that dry mouth can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. Saliva plays a major role in neutralizing tooth-decaying acids and keeping debris from sticking to tooth surfaces. Without a healthy flow of saliva, the gums are also at significant risk. To ensure you don’t experience dry mouth this summer while your body is using more water, make sure you’re reaching for water when you’re feeling parched.
Fluoridated Drinking Water Remineralizes Teeth
Did you know that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for every $1 invested in fluoridated water systems, an average of $32 in dental treatments is prevented? Widespread fluoridated water systems are considered one of the greatest public health accomplishments in history. If you live in the approximately 75% of communities in the U.S. with a fluoridated water system, choosing water over a sports drink when you’re thirsty can help strengthen the enamel in your teeth.
Water Doesn’t Stain Your Teeth
Water not only promotes better health, but it also helps keep your smile pristine. Drinks like soda, coffee, or tea can stain the teeth, which may take a teeth whitening treatment or another cosmetic dentistry service to fix. Save yourself time and money and choose water when you’re thirsty this summer to avoid staining your teeth a darker color.
Thanks for Reading!
The next time this summer heat has your mouth feeling like a desert, think about choosing good, old fashioned tap water to quench your thirst and cool you down. Doing so can contribute to your health in many different ways.
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