Your skin is a water reservoir. Tank up!

W-O-W 7: Water helps give you a healthy mouth and skin

Wiseup-On-Water!  Having a dry mouth is one of the early signs of dehydration.18 Mild dehydration may be a risk factor for dental disease because it impairs saliva production. Saliva is essential for good oral health because:

• it neutralizes the acid created by the bacteria which cause tooth decay

• lubricates oral membranes

• contains minerals that enable tooth repair, and

• contains antibacterial agents that inhibit the growth of oral bacteria and help

prevent gum disease.45

Being well hydrated keeps skin looking healthy as well. The skin acts as a water reservoir and participates in fluid regulation for the whole body.46Mild dehydration causes skin to appear flushed, dry and loose.18,47

So stay topped up on water for a healthier mouth and skin!

Luna and Lara 

18 Kleiner SM. Water: An essential but overlooked nutrient.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1999:99:201-7

http://foodinschools.datacenta.uk.net/home.asp?idTopic=0&id

Page=1

45 Smith AJ and Shaw L. Mild dehydration: a risk factor for

dental disease? European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

2003;57(Suppl 2):S75-80

46 Eisenbeiss C, Welzel J, Eichler W and Klotz K. Influence of

body water distribution on skin thickness: measurements

using high-frequency ultrasound. British Journal of

Dermatology 2001;144:947-951

47 Principles of Human Nutrition. Ed M Eastwood. Chapter 8:

Water, electrolytes, minerals and trace elements. London:

Chapman & Hall 1997