Water is one of the most basic necessities of life. Your body needs water for practically every bodily function such as digestion, hormone production, body temperature regulation, joint lubrication, pH balance maintenance and oxygen delivery throughout the body. Clearly, water not only quenches thirst but also improves overall health! Apart from this, one of the lesser-known benefits of drinking water is that it can improve oral health. Let us find out how.

How does drinking water benefit oral health?

Health Shots reached out to Dr Riddhi Katara, Cosmetic/Aesthetic Dentist, Implantologist, and Dental Surgeon, Mumbai Maharashtra, who revealed that water is the best way to improve your overall dental health.

Dr Katara says, “It doesn’t matter if your glass is half-empty or half-full! Drinking water is always a good choice for countless reasons. While it is most famous for keeping you hydrated, aiding in the distribution of nutrients, giving your skin a healthy glow, and keeping your muscles active—sipping water is also one of the best things you can do for your teeth.”

On World Oral Health Day, read these 7 ways in which water can significantly improve your dental health!

1. Helps prevent dry mouth

Drinking enough water can help prevent dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. Saliva helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and also helps wash away food particles that can cause tooth decay.

2. Reduces acid erosion

Water can help reduce the effects of acid erosion on teeth. Acidic drinks and foods such as soda and citrus fruits, can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity and decay. Drinking water can help rinse away the acid and protect teeth.

3. Cleans your mouth

Water is an excellent mouth cleanser because it removes dangerous bacteria and food particles from the mouth. As a result, plaque won’t accumulate, and there’s less chance of tooth decay or enamel erosion. Hence, drink more water if you want pearly white teeth.

4. Prevents gum disease

Drinking water helps keep the gums hydrated, which is important for preventing gum disease. Gum disease can cause inflammation, bleeding, and eventual tooth loss if left untreated. To avoid the risk of them, drink water.

5. Increases fluoride intake

Most drinking water is fluoridated which means that drinking water can help increase fluoride intake and help strengthen teeth. Fluoride is important for preventing cavities and promoting overall oral health. This is why the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride as well.

6. Prevents cavities and stains

While brushing and flossing your teeth is still critical to maintaining your oral health, drinking water frequently is crucial for keeping your teeth clean, and free of stains and cavities. Make sure to stick to water and avoid carbonated beverages, fruit juice, and sports drinks. These sugary beverages produce acid, which exacerbates tooth decay.

7. Helps with digestion

Drinking water can also help with digestion, which is important for overall health. When the body is properly hydrated, it can better absorb nutrients from food, which can help keep the mouth and teeth healthy.

So, now you have one more reason to drink water frequently. Go have one glass of water!