Staying Hydrated for Oral Health

With the official start of summer just recently passing, many of our patients here in Pittsburgh are planning to enjoy this season with some time off of work or school. Summer is typically associated with vacations, time spent in the beautiful weather, and quality time with friends or family. Although summer is known to be a fun season for enjoying leisurely time, it shouldn’t be a time to slack on your oral health care. In fact, with the warmer weather, you should make sure to remain adamant with a consistently oral hygiene routine because the dangers of dehydration. Being dehydrated isn’t just harmful to your overall wellness! It can also have a negative impact on your oral health. To explain more on this subject, dental implant providers, Drs. Dugan & Sweeney share the importance of hydration for your oral health and give tips to stay hydrated this summer here in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Dangers of Dehydration

Like we mentioned before, being dehydrated is detrimental to your overall health and the health of your smile. Since our bodies are comprised of up to 60% water, even slight dehydration can end up having a negative impact on your wellness. Water is necessary for the proper functioning of every cell in your body and it’s estimated that most people can last a few days without water. So, what does the water do for the body? It does many important functions in the body including:

• Delivering oxygen to the entire body
• Joint lubrication
• Flushing out bodily waste through urine
• Regulating body temperature
• Used by the brain for the production of hormones and neurotransmitters

It’s important for the mouth because it helps form saliva, which is important for digestion and oral health. It’s particularly important for your teeth and gums because it helps wash away bacteria and food particles. This not only helps avoid bad breath, but it also helps inhibit the formation of plaque. Saliva is also important for your oral health because it helps moderate the pH in the mouth. It contains components that help neutralize acids in your mouth that would otherwise erode your tooth enamel.

Staying Hydrated This Summer

Now that we understand the importance of hydration for oral health, let’s take a look at the signs of dehydration you should look out for and the best ways to combat dehydration. The signs of dehydration include:

• Muscle cramps
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Dark or deep yellow urine
• Dizziness or light-headedness

Fortunately, you can combat dehydration this summer with just a few simple tips. Some of the best ways to avoid dehydration include:

• Keeping a water bottle on-hand
• Drink before going outside in the heat
• Avoid going outside during peak heat hours (usually around noon)
• Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty yet
• Avoid wearing dark colored clothes in the heat

Contact our Office in Pittsburgh

From all of us here at Synder & Dugan Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we hope you have a wonderful, safe summer. If for any reason you need restorative treatment for your smile, we’re here to help! We offer top-of-the-line dental implant treatment to give you a natural-looking, complete smile! To get started on your dental implant treatment, contact our office to schedule your no-obligation consultation.