Does Water Quality Affect Your Teeth?

Water is a crucial part of keeping your body running properly. It affects your brain health, your mood, and even your smile. Drinking water can wash away bacteria and food particles, therefore lessening your risk of cavities and gum disease. But does the quality of the water matter? Keep reading to learn about how water quality affects your oral health and what kind of water it’s best for your smile.

Does Water Quality Affect Teeth?

An Indonesian study that tracked the rate at which children under 10 developed tooth decay found that low-quality tap water led to worse oral health outcomes. The tap water that contributed to bad oral health contained no added fluoride and was highly acidic.

The pH of water can have a big impact on your smile. Water that is overly acidic can result in mild enamel erosion over time, which will ultimately increase your risk for cavities. Additionally, fluoridated public water sources can help resist decay, so drinking this kind of water will have the opposite effect.

What Kind of Water Should I Drink?

Bottled water is popular among those who don’t enjoy the taste of tap water. Though drinking from public water sources is inadvisable in many places, bottled and filtered water aren’t inherently better for your oral health than water from the tap. In fact, filtering tap water may remove fluoride and other minerals, therefore making is less effective at protecting your smile.

Additionally, bottled water isn’t necessarily closer to pH neutral than tap water. A study conducted in 2017 found that among several popular bottled water brands all but one had a pH lower than seven. This means that many popular bottled water brands are actually more acidic than your average tap water.

Why Fluoride is Good for Your Smile

Even if you aren’t a fan of tap water, it’s important to make sure your pearly whites get plenty of fluoride. You can do this by using products that contain fluoride, such as toothpaste and mouthwash. You can also speak with your dentist about receiving and in-office fluoride treatment. This mineral is key to keeping your smile in good condition and can lessen your risk of developing cavities.

About Our Practice

Wedgewood Complete Dentistry is led by Dr. Ryan Eskridge and aims to help patients achieve healthy, brag-worthy smiles. They administer a variety of treatments and can teach you about the best ways to care for your smile at home as well as how water quality can impact your pearly whites. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with Wedgewood Complete Dentistry or want to learn more about their services, visit their website or call them at (614) 792-0063 to get started.