Summer weather invites us to the beaches, pools, and the Great Outdoors. Although it is relaxing to get outside and soak up the sun, summer can threaten your oral health in a very subtle way.
Dehydration
Good health is intergally connected to regular water intake. Water aids muscle building, weight control, digestion, clearer thinking, and fatigue reduction. Additionally, it enables us to produce saliva.
Benefits of Saliva
Six major glands in your mouth are responsible for producing saliva. Nevertheless, hundreds of tiny glands support them. The major glands are located in at the base of your mouth, in the interior of your cheeks, and at the front of your mouth by the jawbone. Obviously the mouth is designed to produce saliva. Here’s why:
- Prevents Dry Mouth: When your mouth becomes dry your tongue, gums, and adjourning tissues become irritated and swollen.
- Aids Mastication: When you chew your food, saliva mixes with it making the process much easier. Saliva also improves the fuller taste because it disperses flavors over taste buds. Additionally, swallowing is vastly improved when food is coated with saliva.
- Cleanses Mouth: When you eat tiny food particles are left behind. Saliva washes many of these particles away. It also disrupts the growth of harmful bacteria that can grow on food particles.
- Strengthens Teeth: Saliva carries a high amount of calcium, which aids in strengthening and protecting teeth. It also contains a variety of proteins and minerals that preform vital functions for oral health.
Saliva production is greatly regulated by the amount of water you drink. Normally, summer weather requires us to drink more water than usual. Therefore, if ever your mouth is starting to feel dry, remember that more than just your thirst needs to quenched. Regularly going without water can hurt your oral health as well.
Dr. Mehta and Associates wish you a happy and safe summer. Our offices are conveniently located in Murrieta, Riverside, and Temecula.