Tap water could hold the key to good dental health

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Drinking tap water could improve dental health, according to a report published in the General Dentistry journal.

Tap water is an excellent source of fluoride for many people and the study found that patients would much rather drink tap water on a daily basis than visit their dentist. Fluoride is added to the water that is supplied to most households across the UK; it is important for good dental health because it helps to strengthen and protect the enamel surface of the tooth.

Enamel is very hard and strong but it can be worn down and eroded as a result of eating a lot of sugar, drinking fizzy drinks and brushing the teeth too hard. Once the enamel has worn off, the dentin portion of the tooth becomes exposed; the dentin is much softer than the enamel and contains the nerves, which means that once the enamel wears down, the tooth is much more sensitive to temperature and is susceptible to decay. Fluoride also encourages remineralisation, which helps to strengthen the teeth and make them more resistant to decay.

The conclusion of the study may come as welcome news to those patients that are looking for ways to improve their dental health; drinking a few glasses of tap water each day is not only easy and free, it also benefits general health and helps to prevent dehydration. Experts are always keen to promote drinking water on a regular basis but they are also urging patients to concentrate on other ways of improving oral health. Patients cannot rely on drinking water alone, they must brush, floss and rinse on a regular basis, eat healthily and visit their dentist at least once a year.

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