Doesn’t it feel like everyone’s telling you to drink more water these days? Well, they aren’t saying it for their health—they are saying it for yours!
The human body is 60% water, so it is no wonder that we need to keep it hydrated to survive. But if you need even more reasons to drink H2O, we have four of them to share with you. Plus, we’ll give you some tips on how much water you and your patients really need each day and ways to drink more of it.
Water promotes better sleep
When we sleep, that is at least 7-9 hours when we are not hydrating our bodies. And if you are not getting enough water during the day, you may become dehydrated at night.
People who suffer from dehydration can suffer from fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, cramps and many other symptoms that may make it harder to get a good night’s rest.
Water helps your mind stay sharp
When it comes to cognitive function, think of water as being the relay between brain cells to help improve their communication. When hydrated, water can carry nutrients to your brain and, in turn, help it clear out toxins and waste that impair functionality.
Proper hydration has been linked to many cognitive benefits, including improved concentration, elevated mood and faster response times.
Water keeps your body regulated
You know how oil makes a car run better? Well, water does the same for your body: when you are hydrated, everything--from your heart, to your lungs, to your gut--runs on all cylinders.
Water boosts your immune system, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, aids in digestion and keeps your organs functioning properly.
Water is good for your oral health
As a member of a dental team, you already know this. Like all the other things we’ve touched on, water can also have quite the impact on the state of one’s oral health.
Saliva is your mouth’s first defense against tooth decay. So, when you drink water, you increase the amount of saliva, which keeps your mouth clean and fights dry mouth. Plus, depending on where you and your patients live, you get the benefits of fluoride right from the tap.
Are you feeling more motivated to be hydrated now? Here are the answers to some common questions:
How much water should I be drinking each day?
The universal recommendation for daily intake is 64 ounces a day (think of eight glasses, eight ounces each), but that number may vary from person to person depending on activity level, climate and genetics. One good indicator is checking the color of your urine. If it is clear or light yellow, you are likely getting enough water.
How can I drink more water?
Let’s face it: for all its health benefits, water isn’t exactly an exciting beverage. If you or your patients are having a hard time working water into your days, here are some helpful tips to try:
- Infuse water with fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs for a refreshing drink option
- To better track how much you are drinking, try a reusable water bottle that measures how much is inside it.
- If you drink coffee or tea, you are already contributing to your water intake.
- Food can count as water, too! For instance, watermelon is made up of 92% water.
- Try swapping one sugary drink for a glass of water: you may be surprised how much you don’t miss that soda or energy drink.
The bottom line: The reason everyone tells you to drink more water is that it is genuinely good for you on multiple levels. So challenge yourself and your patients to drink more every day.
