Many people, and even children, are in a continuous state of mild dehydration day to day. This can have significant oral health consequences.
This type of mild dehydration doesn't necessarily have strong symptoms, but the fact is that many of us are not consuming enough fluids to keep us properly hydrated. This can be true of children and adults alike, and can lead to some serious health issues.
One side effects of dehydration is the negative impact it can have on oral health.
An Ideal Environment for Bacterial Growth
When the mouth is dry as a result of dehydration, it doesn't produce enough saliva to properly wash away sugars, food residue and bacteria.
These bacteria can cause halitosis (bad breath), and also damage the teeth and gums, which can lead to dental decay, cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease (yes, even in children!).
Avoiding Dehydration
Drink lots of water
Chances are, you're not aware of how much water you and your child should actually be drinking. It’s more than you’d think!
Your child should regularly and consistently drink water throughout the day. Kids between 5 and 8 should drink approximately 5 glasses of water a day; those between 9 and 12 should drink 7 glasses a day; and kids 13 and older and adults should ideally be drinking 8 to 10 glasses a day.
Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables have a very high concentration of water in them, so upping your child’s fruit and veggie consumption can help keep them hydrated. Plus, fruits and veggies have all sorts of nutritional benefits too, as we all know. Some fruits and vegetables that are great for hydration include:
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Green Peppers
Radishes
Grapefruit - Star Fruit
Broccoli - Iceberg lettuce
- Celery
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Baby carrots (they have more water than regular carrots!)