We all know that prevention is better than cure, but it is also almost always cheaper than cure.

What you may not know is that your saliva has many protective properties for your teeth and gums. Here are some of its amazing purposes in protecting your pearly whites:

  • Washing effect – saliva constantly washes the surfaces of your teeth and gums, not allowing harmful bacteria and acids to accumulate.
  • Lubrication – your saliva forms a slippery coating on your teeth, making it more difficult to food and harmful bacteria to attach to the teeth surfaces
  • Neutralising acids – saliva has an amazing buffering capacity to neutralise harmful acids, so to reduce erosion of precious dental enamel!

Also, did you know that when teeth are dry, staining and discolouration of teeth happen a lot more rapidly? Teeth appear dull, lifeless, and they actually become more brittle when they’re dehydrated. Not to mention a dry mouth often is the main reason why some individuals can have bad breath. So it sounds like if you are dehydrated, your smile may become less attractive, your teeth could break or decay more easily, and your partner may even start to complain about your breath… yikes!

Fortunately, all these can be prevented with just ONE simple habit – drink water!

We recommend drinking unfiltered tap water, as it contains a very low yet beneficial level of fluoride. Research has shown that since fluoridation of our water supply, dental decay incidence has reduced by up to 97%!

You might have heard that an average adult should be drinking about 2 litres of water a day. This has huge benefits for the general health too. Additionally, the magic is in how frequently you drink water. Frequent sips of water throughout the day have a much better effect compared to gobbling a large amount in one go. Also, healthy habits such as drinking some water after acidic/sugary foods, or staining drinks such as coffee, can greatly improve the health and aesthetics of your smile.

So go on, pick up that water bottle and build a great FREE habit, and maintain your healthy beautiful smile for many years to come!