How Much Water Does Your Mouth Really Need You to Drink?
Posted on 8/9/2021 by Brian Rounds, DDS
Your body constantly loses water throughout the day. This is mainly through sweating, urine, and other body functions like breathing. You need to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and other related effects. Just like your body, your mouth also needs a sufficient supply of water. Experts recommend that you drink at least eight-ounce glasses of water every day. This equals to two liters of water. Water is important to your oral health as it helps fight dry mouth and keeps the mouth clean.
Fighting Dry Mouth
Saliva is a very important component of your mouth. It is the first line of defense against tooth decay and other oral infections. It plays this role by washing away leftover food particles, enabling easier swallowing of food, and keeping your teeth strong. By washing your teeth with fluoride, phosphate, and calcium, saliva keeps your teeth strong and healthy. However, with low saliva levels in your mouth, you will experience a condition referred to as dry mouth. This condition puts you at risk of tooth decay. Therefore, drinking enough water is crucial in keeping your mouth healthy and prevents the risk of infections.
Keeps the Mouth Clean
Drinking sports drinks, soda, or juice might help quench your thirst on a sunny day. However, these drinks can leave unwanted sugars in your mouth. The harmful bacteria love eating sugar and will produce acids that wear down your tooth enamel. The enamel is the strongest tissue in your body, but it can wear down when exposed to acidic conditions. Furthermore, sports drinks are not healthy due to their high acidic levels. This leaves you with only water. Drinking water after eating will help wash down the stuck food particles. With every sip you take, it washes away residue and leftover food. This helps keep your teeth clean and healthy. Visit our offices for more information on the importance of drinking water.
Your body constantly loses water throughout the day. This is mainly through sweating, urine, and other body functions like breathing. You need to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and other related effects. Just like your body, your mouth also needs a sufficient supply of water. Experts recommend that you drink at least eight-ounce glasses of water every day. This equals to two liters of water. Water is important to your oral health as it helps fight dry mouth and keeps the mouth clean.