Drinking enough water keeps your body healthy,

and it’s great for healthy teeth too!

Drinking enough water is always important and it’s especially important during the summer months when dehydration and over-heating is more prevalent. It can be a big concern when you’re caught out and about having fun getting hot and sweaty without enough water! During August, fall sports practice starts up, adding to the summertime activities your kiddos might already be participating in. It’s important to take enough water with you whenever you are adventuring out in the heat.

Not only for the sake of hydration, but there are other benefits to drinking enough water. Water is unlike any other drink, and is by far the healthiest drink available. Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients, gets rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow and keeps your muscles moving. And–drinking water really helps your teeth stay healthy!

• Washes away the bad stuff!
Water is a great mouth cleaner because it washes away leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria love to eat.The cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth love to eat sugar and produce acid that wears away enamel, which is the outer shell of your teeth. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. Drinking juice, soda or sports drinks on the other hand,  can leave unwanted sugar behind.

• Who wants dry mouth?
Did you know that saliva is 99% water?  When you are low on saliva, you will most likely experience dry mouth – a condition that makes it hard to swallow and chew because of a lack of saliva. Saliva is your mouth’s first defense against tooth decay. It washes away leftover food, helps you swallow with ease and keeps your teeth strong by washing them with calcium, phosphate and fluoride. When your saliva supply runs low, dry mouth may also put you at risk for tooth decay. By drinking enough water, you help prevent dry mouth and ensure that your saliva is produced at an optimal rate. 

• Guess what: no calories!
Rising consumption in sugary beverages has been a major contributor to the increasing rate of obesity in the United States. In fact, people who consume 1 – 2 sugary beverages per day are 26% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. This can be avoided by substituting colas, sugary juices and sports drinks with a glass of water. Water doesn’t have any calories, and it contains no sugar, which makes it incredibly healthy.