Our bodies are made up of 70% water and we regularly hear about the importance of staying hydrated. 
It’s essential for concentration, energy levels, healthy skin and our overall well-being, but did you know that it’s also vital for good oral health?
Saliva protects against tooth decay and because one of the symptoms of dehydration is a dry mouth, maintaining a good level of hydration will keep your saliva levels stable and help to keep on top of good oral health.
Drinking the right things to keep us hydrated and our teeth healthy is also essential. You probably know that regularly sipping fizzy drinks can cause significant damage to teeth, but there may be other seemingly ‘healthy’ drinks that could be harming your teeth…
Smoothies
Many supermarket smoothies contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar per 250ml serving, which is actually higher than full-sugar cola! Although they contain vitamins and count towards your ‘five-a-day’, enjoy smoothies in moderation as they contain high levels of acids and fructose – a natural sugar found in fruit. Their sticky consistency also means that they cling to teeth, so try to avoid drinking them between meals.
Fruit juices
Like smoothies, fruit juices contain powerful acids and high levels of natural sugar that can cause tooth decay and damage tooth enamel, so they’re are best kept for mealtimes only. Always dilute fruit juice when giving it to children (one part juice to one part water).
Sports drinks
Keeping hydrated during exercise is very important, but think twice before reaching for a bottle of sports drink. They are notorious for the high quantities of sugar and acid they contain and can damage your teeth in the same way that a regular fizzy drink would.
Our mouths are also more vulnerable during exercise as we tend to have a drier mouth and produce less saliva, leaving us even more susceptible to decay. Instead of sports drinks, look for low-sugar options or stick to water during exercise which is 100% tooth-friendly and will keep you fresh and hydrated.
This post was originally posted on the Denplan website.
