Everyone knows that if you don't drink enough water, you dehydrate. When your body is dehydrated, you usually experience headaches, dizziness and lethargy, among other symptoms. But did you know that your teeth can also become dehydrated? While the dehydration of teeth isn't as publicized as that of your body, if you care about your teeth, you should be aware of it.
Teeth can become dehydrated in several ways. Dehydrated teeth are more are more at risk of cavities. Let's look at the ways that your teeth can become dehydrated.
Mouth Breathing Dehydrates Teeth
Whether you sleep with your mouth open or tend to breathe through your mouth at all times of the day, your teeth will become dehydrated. As you breathe, the air dries out the saliva which would normally coat the surface of your enamel.
Running with Your Mouth Open Dehydrates Teeth
Some people find it difficult to breathe through their nose whilst running. Because of that, they run with their mouth open. Naturally, this causes dry mouth, and inevitably leaves teeth dehydrated.
Sleeping Dehydrates Teeth
Yes, even sleeping can dehydrated your teeth. Your mouth has no need of saliva whilst you are sleeping. Thus, for the eight hours that the average human sleeps, their teeth remain dry and can become dehydrated.
Why is Dehydration bad for Teeth?
There are many reasons that dehydration is bad for teeth. First of all, your saliva helps to balance the pH of your mouth, keeping it at a healthy level of somewhere between 6.5 and 7.5. In comparison, battery acid has a pH of 0, which means it is highly acidic. Saliva helps to neutralize acids.
What acids? The bacteria in your mouth produce acid. This acid erodes enamel. No saliva means no defence against cavity formation. Furthermore, your saliva contains minerals such as calcium. When teeth are bathed in saliva, they absorb these minerals and become stronger. No saliva means teeth become more brittle.
What do Dehydrated Teeth Look Like?
The surface of a dehydrated tooth will have white marks on it. These white marks can be seen in the morning when you wake up. Dehydrated teeth are also more pale overall, than usual. If you notice white marks on your teeth, it means you need to stimulate the flow of saliva in your mouth. Chew some gum and drink lots of water to rehydrate your mouth and teeth.
A dry mouth is a mouth at the mercy of bacteria. Keep your mouth well-hydrated to help prevent cavities and bad breath from ruining your smile. For more information, contact a local dentist.
Share13 December 2017
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
