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Keep an Eye Out for These Subtle Signs of Dehydration

July 7, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — smilespringfield @ 6:15 pm
woman drinking a glass of water

With summer in full swing, it’s crucial to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Otherwise, you risk dehydration, which is detrimental to your entire body. But did you know that staying hydrated is also essential to having a healthy mouth? Unfortunately, many signs of dehydration aren’t as obvious as a dry mouth, so it’s all too easy to become dehydrated without even realizing it! Read on to learn about some of the sneaky signs of dehydration to watch out for and how to protect your dental health this summer.  

Why It’s Important to Stay Hydrated

You’ve probably heard that your body is more than 70% water, so it’s easy to see how proper hydration benefits your overall health. However, your mouth also relies on your consuming enough fluids. When you’re dehydrated, your mouth can’t produce enough saliva (spit). Saliva plays a key role in giving your teeth the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. It also aids in rinsing leftover food particles off of your teeth and gums. As a result, dehydration may increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.

Signs of Dehydration You Might Not Have Heard Of

By the time you start feeling thirsty, you’re often already dehydrated! Thirst is far from the only symptom of dehydration, though. Look out for some of these less obvious signs:

  • Bad breath – Without adequate saliva, bacteria can thrive in your mouth and lead to foul-smelling breath.
  • Headaches – Getting headaches or even migraines is a common sign of dehydration.
  • Fatigue – Dehydration deprives your body of the energy it needs, resulting in a tired or lethargic feeling.
  • Hunger – If you’ve ever felt hungry very soon after eating, you might be dehydrated. This confusing experience sometimes occurs because the part of the brain that controls hunger (the hypothalamus) also controls thirst.
  • Muscle cramps – No matter what type of exercise you’re doing, your muscles may cramp up if you’re dehydrated.
  • Darkly colored urine – As a rule of thumb, your urine should be clear or pale yellow if you’re well-hydrated. If it’s dark yellow, drink some water.

Tips for Staying Hydrated This Summer

The idea that you should drink eight glasses of water a day isn’t necessarily true. There actually isn’t a fixed amount of water that every single person needs to drink each day. Instead, listen to your body and drink water whenever you feel thirsty. With that in mind, these tips can help you get enough fluids:

  • If you know you’re going to spend time exercising or being outdoors, drink water ahead of time so that your body can absorb it in advance.
  • Try carrying a refillable water bottle around with you.
  • Drink tap water when you have the chance, as it likely contains fluoride, which strengthens your tooth enamel.

In addition to putting your whole body at risk, dehydration can also harm your smile. Keep an eye out for the subtle symptoms mentioned above and make sure to drink plenty of water this summer to keep your pearly whites healthy!

About the Practice

Our talented dentists here at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield strive to help members of the Springfield, IL community enjoy bright, healthy smiles for life. We take a preventive approach to oral health, and we’d be happy to arm you with the knowledge you need to keep your teeth in great shape between routine visits. To learn more about boosting your dental health by staying hydrated this summer, contact us via our website or by phone at (217)-546-3333.

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