Brushing your teeth and flossing are essential for maintaining good oral health. But did you know that what you drink regularly impacts your smile?
Ethelyn Thomason, DMD, faculty at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM), said that what you drink affects saliva production, a component of good oral health.
“Hydration is important for saliva production in general and good quality saliva production,” she said.
Thomason said she recommends listening to your body in terms of when to hydrate. If you notice your mouth feels dry, drink something to moisten it.
The Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, recommends that men consume 125 ounces of water — from all beverages and foods — every day. For women, it’s 91 ounces.
Vegetables, including spinach and broccoli, as well as legumes like beans, are high in fluid content, said Thomason. If you drink coffee or tea in the morning or throughout the day, these beverages also contribute to the daily recommended amount for proper hydration.
Believe it or not, and despite endless options for bottled water, it’s tap water.
Thomason said that minerals found in tap water contribute to good oral health and overall body health.
“Along with any other mineral that’s in the water, fluoride helps to remineralize the enamel that's being attacked by sugars and acids every time you eat or drink,” Thomason explained.
Beverages that are packed with sugar and high-acid drinks like sodas.
“Energy drinks are among the worst things to drink if you want good oral health,” said Thomason, an avid pickleball player. To refuel after a match, she adds a sugar-free electrolyte drink mix to her water bottle.
Fruit juice can also be detrimental to your teeth due to its high acidity and sugar content. Lemon juice, as an example, is only a fraction of a point higher in pH (a scale that measures acidity) than battery acid. Orange juice has a pH of four, making it more acidic than water, which has a neutral pH of seven.
Learn more about the pH of beverages consumed by Americans in a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Thomason admitted she has a slight addiction to Diet Coke. She has one Diet Coke at lunch every day.
“Generally, I tell people it's fine to drink those things,” she said. “Don’t deprive yourself of things you enjoy. But you don't want to be sipping on them all day long.”
Sparkling water is a good substitute if you’re not a fan of tap water. Make sure the drinks don’t contain added sugar or fruit juice, as this essentially turns them into a sugary soda.
“Research tells us that sparkling water isn't bad for your teeth,” said Thomason. It’s almost identical to drinking regular tap water in terms of pH.
If you drink soda or fruit juices, including beverages like lemonade, there are a few simple steps you can take to help neutralize the acid on your teeth. This includes:
Thomason said that the sugar and acid in these drinks soften tooth enamel. If you brush right away, you're essentially brushing off the enamel.
As people age, the quality of their saliva tends to worsen, making hydration even more important. Regardless of age, individuals who take multiple medications often experience dry mouth, which impacts the quality of their saliva.
“In those situations, hydration is imperative for oral health,” Thomason said.
Being dehydrated also causes bad breath due to the accumulation of debris and bacteria in the crevices of your mouth, which increases your risk of tooth decay.
If you have a child or family member who often forgets to stay hydrated throughout the day, consider getting them a bottle with measurements marked on the side.
Thomason said this type of bottle has worked well for her son after he had surgery a year ago.
“He has to be incredibly careful about fluid intake,” she explained. “I would do the same thing with an elderly parent who has memory issues or with kids who don't remember how much they had to drink that day.”
Have you scheduled your summer dental appointment? You should see your dental provider at least twice a year. Learn more about CU SDM discounts and dental programs.