We’ve all heard about the importance of good hydration on overall health. But have you ever wondered how water quality can affect your teeth? Whether its tap water, bottled water, sparkling water or even flavoured water, they all have a distinct effect on the condition of your teeth over time. Here at King Street Dental, we’ve put together a water quality guide to help you understand the ways in which the water you drink impacts your teeth.
Tap Water
Expert cosmetic dentists know all too well the effect that water composition can have on your teeth. Most dentists recommend consuming regular drinking water or tap water which contains a good balance of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. However, the most significant benefit of tap water is that it contains fluoride. Drinking water in Australia is fortified with fluoride and the quantities are carefully regulated.
Decades of research have proven that drinking fluoridated tap water can significantly reduce cavities in adults and children.
Bottled Water
Perhaps surprisingly, many dentists recommend that you do not consume bottled water on a regular basis. While bottled water may be advertised as the purest, most pristine kind of drinking water, and it is significantly better than carbonated sodas, red wine and coffee, it is extremely low in the essential minerals which are critical to dental health.
If you consume only bottled water, consider making it a point to occasionally drink fluoridated tap water to replenish essential minerals which help keep your teeth strong.
Hard Water
Hard water is generally defined as water which contains a high mineral content. If your home primarily uses hard water, we recommend getting the water tested from time to time to understand what’s in it. For example, too much fluoride in water can lead to discolouration of teeth, while excessive mineral content can harm teeth and lead to other health problems.
Salt Water
While we are definitely not recommending salt water for drinking, there’s no denying the benefits of salt water when it comes to dental health. Rinsing the mouth with salt water protects teeth by fighting bad bacteria. Saltwater rinsing can also help reduce inflammation and significantly reduce tooth ache.
We recommend adding a half teaspoon of salt to lukewarm water and rinsing the mouth no more than 4 times a day.
Emergency and Cosmetic Dentistry in Melbourne
When it comes to good dental health, there is no substitute for a healthy diet and regular visits to your orthodontist. There are many factors that impact teeth, including the mineral content of the water you drink. At King Street Dental, we have years of experience providing Melbourne residents with quality cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry and oral health advice. Contact us today to book an appointment.