Most of us are aware of the importance of keeping our bodies hydrated and recognise early signs of dehydration such as thirst, headaches, tiredness, dry lips and mouth.
However are you aware that when the mouth is dry and lacking saliva that it is a breeding ground for germs – saliva not only keeps your mouth moist but it also rinses away food debris and helps to control the creation of bacteria and fungi. Lack of saliva can therefore lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.
Drinking water and milk is a good way to re-hydrate ourselves but we often reach for other drinks as well such as smoothies, fruit juices and fizzy drinks which can have a high sugar or acid content and can cause the erosion of tooth enamel leading to decay, pain and sensitivity. Also tea, coffee, wine and some carbonated drinks contain caffeine, acids and compounds like tannin which can dry the mouth out and produce unpleasant breath.
If you choose to drink these then keep the following in mind:
- It is best to clean your teeth before rather than after to help protect the teeth from the damaging effects of the acid
- It is recommended that you drink these during a meal rather than continually sipping throughout the day
- It is beneficial to chew sugar-free gum to help neutralise harmful plaque acids and provide instant relief from dry mouth and increase saliva production
- Add skimmed milk to tea and coffee to reduce bitterness and astringency