Here at Wickham Dental, we help our patients to make the best of their smile by offering an excellent choice of treatment options. In addition, we promote preventive care. Preventive care is a means of ensuring that the oral health is optimised so that there is less need for any intervention or treatment.
The first step in this kind of care is developing a routine of daily brushing and flossing. The second is to be mindful of the foods and drinks being consumed and keeping sugar and acidic items to an absolute minimum. In addition, drinking plenty of water can be a great way to look after the health of the teeth and gums. Here we explain why this is so important.
Fluoride
In many cases, the water that people get from their taps has had fluoride added to it. Fluoride is very beneficial to teeth. This is because it strengthens the enamel. Enamel is a protective layer that coats the teeth and helps to keep them healthy.
When the teeth are boosted by regular consumption of water that contains fluoride, they are much more robust in the face of acids. Acids can be found in many foods and other drinks, and these erode the teeth. Fluoride is also good for oral health because in the case of the early stages of tooth decay, it can eradicate it.
Keeps the mouth hydrated
Water doesn’t just hydrate the body in general, it also helps to keep the mouth moist. This is very important as the dentist in Wickham has found that a dry mouth is frequently the cause of bad breath. Bad breath can erode a person’s confidence and drinking plenty of water can significantly reduce the risk of this.
Drinking plenty of water also helps the mouth to produce healthy levels of saliva. This helps to maintain the health of the gums and can be a very effective means of minimising the risk of gum disease. Gum disease can result in tooth loss if it is allowed to progress, which can be very detrimental to a person’s self-image as well as their general health.
Superior alternative
People who don’t drink much water tend to choose other drinks that aren’t very healthy as alternatives. Fizzy drinks can cause cavities and erode the integrity of the teeth. Drinks like tea, coffee and red wine can result in the teeth becoming very stained. This means that they will not look and feel healthy, and the person can even look older than their years because of significant yellowing and staining.
Decreases urge to snack
The dentist in Wickham advises patients to eat three healthy meals a day, rather than snacking throughout the course of each day. This is because constant snacking means that the teeth are being frequently exposed to sugars and acids which will make them much less healthy and more vulnerable to damage. Drinking plenty of water and staying well hydrated throughout the day can suppress the urge to snack, and thus help to ensure healthier teeth and gums.