The Mouth Body Connection · tips and techniques ·Nov 27, 2024

Water is Essential for a Healthy Mouth

Drinking water is beneficial for both your overall health and your oral health. Our bodies are made of 60% water. Staying hydrated with water helps you: (ADA, 2024).

Distribute healthy nutrients
Get rid of waste
Give your skin a healthy glow
Keep your muscles moving
Improve your oral health

5 Benefits of Drinking Water Related to your Oral Health

Strengthens your teeth. When you drink tap water with fluoride it helps prevent cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that makes the surface of your teeth stronger. Around 75% of the water supplies across the U.S. have added fluoride. Use this online mapto find out if your local water is fluoridated (ADA, 2024).
Cleans your mouth. It washes away food particles and residue that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Neutralizes harmful acids. The cavity causing bacteria in your mouth uses carbohydrates and sugar for food. When bacteria feed on the sugar in your mouth, they leave damaging acids behind that cause cavities. Water helps neutralize those harmful acids, so cavities are less likely to develop.
Prevents dry mouth. Saliva is your mouth’s first defense against tooth decay, but when you have dry mouth you are at risk of developing cavities. Drinking water can help reduce your risk as you work with your dental professional to find a long-term solution.
Healthy alternative to other drinks. Sugary drinks are often a combination of sugar and calories with limited other nutrients. These drinks can put you at risk for cavities and other unhealthy consequences. Beyond weight gain, routinely drinking sugary beverages can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, other chronic diseases, and even increase your risk of premature death (Malik et al., 2019). Overall, it is best to choose water when you are thirsty.

Make your teeth happy with these healthy choices:

Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Carry a water bottle and refill it during the day.
Be a role model for family and friends by choosing healthy beverages.

Fluoride | MouthHealthy - Oral Health Information from the ADA

Malik VS, Li Y, Pan A, De Koning L, Schernhammer E, Willett WC, Hu FB. Long-Term Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Risk of Mortality in US Adults. Circulation. 2019 Apr 30;139(18):2113-2125. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.037401. PMID: 30882235; PMCID: PMC6488380.