How Does Water Quality Affect Your Oral Health?

You know that you need to stay hydrated in order to keep your body healthy, but do you ever think about the quality of the water that you are drinking? The truth is that water can be anywhere on the scale between acidic and alkaline. It also contains different minerals depending on where you get it from. This is all important when you are striving for excellent oral health. Continue reading to learn more about water quality and how this can affect your smile.

How Do Acidity Levels of Water Affect Your Teeth?

You probably already know that foods and beverages that are more acidic are harmful for your smile, and that does not exclude the water that you drink. In fact, the tooth enamel can eventually start to erode if the acidity level falls to a 5.5 pH or lower. That is why it’s so important to choose your beverages carefully.

How Does Fluoride in Water Affect Oral Health?

Fluoride is a natural mineral that is used in dental products to prevent tooth decay. In fact, studies show that at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults is prevented by fluoride that is in community water systems. Fluoride is naturally present in groundwater and oceans. Water fluoridating is the adjustment of these fluoride levels to ensure that it meets the recommended level for preventing tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), in most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves approximately $38 in dental treatment costs later on.

How Do Different Types of Water Affect Your Teeth?

In the United States, most people have a few options when it comes to receiving drinking water. Here are a few of them and how they affect your smile:

• Sparkling Water: Many people prefer the taste of sparkling water. The problem is that carbonated water tends to be slightly more acidic than still water. That is what makes it have a tangier flavor. While sparkling water hasn’t been shown to have too much of a negative effect on teeth, dentists still recommend still water.
• Tap Water: In most cases, dentists recommend drinking standard tap water. In addition to minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus being present, tap water is often fluoridated to help prevent tooth decay. However, if you are traveling, you should check with an accredited source to find out whether or not the local tap water is safe to drink.
• Bottled Water: While bottled water isn’t bad for your teeth in the slightest, it isn’t always recommended by dentist because it doesn’t usually contain fluoride. If you are only drinking bottled water, you could be missing out.
• Well Water: Most of the time, well water is more of a “hard water.” This means that it has a higher mineral content than others. Well water isn’t necessarily bad for your teeth, but it is best if you have your water tested to get an idea of what’s in it. If there isn’t enough fluoride, it won’t help to prevent tooth decay. Too much fluoride can cause discoloration of the teeth. Balance is key.

The water that you are drinking affects your oral health, so it is important that you carefully consider that advantages and disadvantages of different types. This way, you can keep your smile strong and healthy!

About the Author

Dr. J. Peter St. Clair is an experienced dentist who has been practicing for over 25 years. He earned his DMD from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has been a Faculty Club member at Spear Education since 1999. For more information on keeping your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment at his office in Rowley, MA, visit his website or call (978) 948-2030.