WATER
Your teeth can also benefit from water. Water helps wash away food debris and keep your
saliva levels high. Believe it or not, saliva is actually your mouth’s best
defense against tooth decay because it contains proteins and minerals that
counteract enamel-eating acids. Saliva is made up of 95% water, so if you want
to avoid unnecessary cavities do yourself a favor and stay hydrated. Water also displaces sugary drinks like soda and sweet
flavored waters, which can damage tooth enamel and promote decays.
Drinking water not only is good for
your health, but it also freshens your breath, according to dental researchers
in Canada. "The main cause of bad breath is bacteria in the mouth,"
reports Anne Bosy, a Toronto scientist specializing in breath treatment. Since
bacteria feed on acids, controlling their numbers is as easy as changing the pH
in the mouth. "Anything that's high in alkaline is good for neutralizing
the acids in the mouth," says Tammy Gouweloos, a dental hygienist with a
holistic approach to oral health. Alkaline water with a pH between 8.2 and of
11.0 eliminates the acidic environment, reducing the bacteria that cause bad
breath.
