Water is the most basic thing in the whole world that people need to consume for survival. Unfortunately, when you go to the store, there are countless other beverages to consume from coffee to sports drinks and more. All of these drinks aren’t as good for you as water, especially when it comes to the health of your teeth. Those pearly whites need water for so many reasons. When you don’t get enough water, it can affect your teeth in a very negative way.

 

At our Suntree, Viera, and Rockledge orthodontic practices, the team at Valderrama Orthodontics sees the effects that not drinking enough water can have on teeth. Let’s look at how drinking water influences your tooth structure, and why it’s so important to get H2O each day. Our goal is to specialize in perfect smiles at our orthopedic dentist office. Water can definitely help you get there.

 

Water Consumption Keeps Your Mouth Clean

 

Here’s a big part of why water is so important for your entire mouth. During the day and night, bacteria grows inside your mouth. There are extra food particles hanging around after you eat, as well. Of course, brushing and flossing helps to get rid of bacteria and food debris, but drinking water throughout the day helps to rinse off bad bacteria and tiny food particles that are otherwise going to get stuck to your teeth and gums.

 

Plaque won’t build up in the mouth as much when you get in the habit of drinking a lot of water each day. You’ll also notice that your smile is brighter when you drink water after eating or drinking anything that may stain your teeth, like coffee or wine. Just a few simple swigs can help to rinse off the teeth and prevent stains, which can yellow your teeth.

 

Healthy Tooth Enamel Needs Water

 

Water contains minerals and fluoride that are necessary for healthy tooth enamel. Drinking water is part of the “remineralization” process that restores and strengthens tooth enamel. Keep in mind that some of these minerals and fluoride aren’t in filtered or bottled water, so make sure you are drinking some tap or mineral water. If not, you may need to explore some fluoride treatments at your orthopedic dentist.

 

Prevents Dry Mouth

 

Drinking the right amount of water can help to prevent dry mouth. When you have a dry mouth, it means that you don’t have enough saliva that naturally washes away food particles and bad bacteria. Drinking water can increase healthy saliva amounts, which is beneficial for your mouth and teeth. When you don’t have enough saliva, it can compromise the structure of your teeth, wearing away the enamel and leading to more tooth decay.

 

How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day

 

So the big question becomes, how much water should you actually drink each day? According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, it’s 15.5 cups of water or 3.7 liters for men, and 11.5 cups of water or 2.7 liters for women.

 

A cup is 8 ounces of water. If it helps you keep track of how much water you are drinking, get a large container and fill it up each morning. That will help you get in the habit of watching exactly how much water you are drinking each day. Another smart tip is to bring a portable water container with you wherever you go. You’ll get used to having water on hand to drink throughout the day, which will get you where you need to be with your water drinking levels.

 

Avoid Beverages That Are Bad for Your Teeth

 

As much as you probably don’t want to hear this if you are a soda or juice lover, these beverages are terrible for your teeth. That includes all of those sugary coffee drinks, alcohol, wine, and energy drinks.

 

Anything with excess sugar is going to wear away tooth enamel and can cause cavities in otherwise healthy teeth. You especially want to take care of your teeth when you have gone through the process of having Clear Correct or invisible braces. Once you schedule an appointment with us and are on track for your dream smile, always remember to keep drinking water. So try to increase your water consumption because you’ll be amazed at how much better your teeth will look and perform for you in the long run.