Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctor
      • Dr. James Kiehl
    • Meet the Team
    • Why Choose Us
    • Tour the Office
    • Community Involvement
    • FAQ
  • Our Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Athletic Mouthguards
      • Dental Cleanings and Exams
      • Gum Disease Treatment
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Relieving Dental Anxiety
      • Dental Sedation
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Dental Veneers
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Teeth Contouring / Crown Lengthening
      • Gum Reshaping/ Gummy Smile Treatment
      • Smile Makeover
      • Tooth Bonding
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Tooth Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental Crowns and Bridges
    • Full-Mouth Reconstruction
      • Dental Implants
      • Dentures
    • Oral Surgery
    • TMJ Treatment / Teeth Grinding
    • Sleep Apnea Treatment
  • Patient Testimonials
    • Smile Gallery
  • Patient Resources
    • Payment Options
    • Specials and Promotions
    • I’m Embarrassed To Smile
    • I’m Having A Hard Time Chewing
    • I’m In Pain or Have Discomfort
  • Blog
  • COVID-19 Protocols
  • Search
  • Contact Us
MENU

To Our Patients,

We understand and deeply respect that you may be concerned about coronavirus in public places, even at our state-of-the-art sterilized office.

Our first priority is always the health and well-being of our patients. And that is a priority we take extremely seriously, even with the current disruptions we’re all experiencing.

It has been a very difficult decision, but we have decided that it is in the best interest of our community, our team, and our patients that we not see regular patients until at least Monday, April 6, 2020.

If you do have a dental emergency, we are here and will be here and happy to help you. Please call us at 603-546-7460.

This is just one more way that we can show our high level of care for you … and for everyone in our community. We very much look forward to seeing you, your family, and your friends very soon.

As always, if you have any questions, please call our office at 603-546-7460.

Sincerely,
Dr. James Kiehl
Nashua Family Dentistry

Contact Us
COVID-19 Update from Nashua Family Dentistry
Call Today603-546-7460 Schedule Online
25 Riverside Street, #201, Nashua, NH 03062
Call Today603-546-7460
25 Riverside Street, #201, Nashua, NH 03062
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctor
      • Dr. James Kiehl
    • Meet the Team
    • Why Choose Us
    • Tour the Office
    • Community Involvement
    • FAQ
  • Our Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Athletic Mouthguards
      • Dental Cleanings and Exams
      • Gum Disease Treatment
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Relieving Dental Anxiety
      • Dental Sedation
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Dental Veneers
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Teeth Contouring / Crown Lengthening
      • Gum Reshaping/ Gummy Smile Treatment
      • Smile Makeover
      • Tooth Bonding
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Tooth Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental Crowns and Bridges
    • Full-Mouth Reconstruction
      • Dental Implants
      • Dentures
    • Oral Surgery
    • TMJ Treatment / Teeth Grinding
    • Sleep Apnea Treatment
  • Patient Testimonials
    • Smile Gallery
  • Patient Resources
    • Payment Options
    • Specials and Promotions
    • I’m Embarrassed To Smile
    • I’m Having A Hard Time Chewing
    • I’m In Pain or Have Discomfort
  • Blog
  • COVID-19 Protocols
  • Search
Home > Blog > How Dehydration Can Lead To More Cavities This Summer

How Dehydration Can Lead To More Cavities This Summer

June 11, 2017
Preventative Orthodontics Kids | 1 | Nashua Family Dentistry | Nashua, NH

It’s easy to get dehydrated in the summer. Sure, the temperature in New Hampshire isn’t likely to top 100 degrees like Arizona or Florida, but it’s still very warm. Plus, summer is when you head outside for hikes, ball games, swimming, and more.

You’ll end up losing a lot of your body’s water while staying active, and that can be a problem. Dehydration can lead to dental health problems like cavities, gum disease, and more. That’s why you need to call our Nashua, NH dental office today at 603-546-7460 and schedule your next appointment. Our Nashua dentists have the training and experience needed to spot and treat any such problems, but you need to come in first.

What Saliva Does For Your Dental Health

Dehydration can cause a lot of problems. It can lead to muscle cramps, dizziness, irritability, headaches, and more. But it can also hurt your smile because it robs you of your saliva.

Saliva is much more than what helps you chew your food. It plays several roles in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Here’s what saliva does for you:

  • Washes away food particles. Every time you eat or drink, a tiny portion of food or drink gets trapped on your teeth and gums. The harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on those particles, especially sugar and carbs. Saliva helps wash them away, helping keep those bacteria from growing too fast.
  • Keeps your enamel strong. Saliva as a small amount of calcium and other minerals in it. When you keep your teeth wet with saliva, this helps strengthen the enamel.
  • Inhibit stains. Although saliva won’t prevent your teeth from getting stained by dark foods and drinks, it will help wash some of those off your teeth to slow the process.
  • Keeps your breath cleaner. Food particles can start to smell when trapped in your mouth. Saliva keeps washing some of those particles away, helping keep your breath fresher than it normally would.

Summer is a particularly bad time for saliva. Not only does the heat and running around dehydrate you, summer is full of sweet treats like bbq sauce, ice cream, lemonade, corn-on-the-cob, and more. That means you’ll have extra sugar and carbs coating your teeth but less saliva to get rid of them.

Dental Risks With Dehydration

Here are the specific dental risks that come from being dehydrated this summer.

CAVITIES

Because you have dry mouth due to dehydration, you don’t have the saliva to wash away sugar, carbs, and other particles of food. That’s like laying out a buffet for harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. Your chances of getting a cavity go up when you are dehydrated.

GUM DISEASE

When those bacteria are on your teeth, they produce an acid that erodes your enamel and creates cavities. But when they’re on your gums, that same acid irritates and damages your gums. This leads to gum disease, which can eventually mean losing teeth. Because your mouth is so dry, you don’t have the saliva needed to keep that bacteria in check.

WEAKER ENAMEL

Saliva contains trace minerals that, over time, help repair tiny damage done to your enamel. However, having dry mouth due to dehydration means your teeth are not getting calcium and similar minerals from saliva. This leads to your enamel growing weaker.

BAD BREATH

If you’ve ever had a night where you drank a lot of alcohol, then you’ve experienced dry mouth — and the bad breath (also known as halitosis) that comes along with it. When you get dehydrated and cannot wash away the food particles like normal, your breath can start to smell bad.

DISCOLORED TEETH

Just about anything dark that you eat and drink will leave behind tiny stains on your teeth. They’re too small to see individually, but as they build up over the years, your white teeth turn brown and dull. Saliva normally helps slow down this process, but when you’re dehydrated, all those dark sodas, juices, and ketchup will stain your teeth that much faster.

Call Nashua Family Dentistry today at 603-546-7460 or use our convenient online form to schedule a new appointment this summer. Our Nashua dentists work with kids and adults to help keep their teeth strong, attractive, and healthy.

What Our Patients Are Saying

M. F. (Verified Patient) | Nov 18, 2020
5
Very good as usual, terrific hygienist, office group are the Best!

Very good as usual, terrific hygienist, office group are the Best!

E. K. (Verified Patient) | Jul 02, 2020
5
An amazing dentist, with a staff full of people who genuinely care about you. My...
Read More

An amazing dentist, with a staff full of people who genuinely care about you. My most recent experience, I forgot to have a very important form filled out (requirement for those in the NG) and they went through HOOPS to get my form filled out and returned to me. I can’t recommend them enough!

K. K. (Verified Patient) | Mar 17, 2020
5
Cleaning went well. No discomfort and on time.

Cleaning went well. No discomfort and on time.

R. C. (Verified Patient) | Mar 12, 2020
5
Melissa is always personable and professional. The staff is always helpful and patient. That's why...
Read More

Melissa is always personable and professional. The staff is always helpful and patient. That's why I keep going back!!

A. A. (Verified Patient) | Mar 12, 2020
5
Everyone is always extremely nice and personable. They do a great job making you feel...
Read More

Everyone is always extremely nice and personable. They do a great job making you feel comfortable

J. K. (Verified Patient) | Mar 09, 2020
5
Melissa is the best hygienist! Gentle yet thorough.

Melissa is the best hygienist! Gentle yet thorough.

R. A. (Verified Patient) | Feb 26, 2020
5
fast, friendly and efficient

fast, friendly and efficient

C. N. (Verified Patient) | Feb 13, 2020
5
Had a new hygienist and everything went extremely well. Staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.

Had a new hygienist and everything went extremely well. Staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.

T. O. (Verified Patient) | Feb 07, 2020
5
I look forward to my appointments at Nashua Family. I know most people cringe when...
Read More

I look forward to my appointments at Nashua Family. I know most people cringe when they have to go to the dentist. Their professionalism and care always put me at ease. Cleanings to dental work , they always make sure I am comfortable. I had one tooth internally bleached . The results are amazing., Thank you, NAshua Family

W. I. (Verified Patient) | Feb 06, 2020
5
Always a good experience

Always a good experience

Read Patient Testimonials
Rate Us
Call Today to Make an Appointment 603-546-7460
25 Riverside Street, #201, Nashua, NH 03062
  • Mon: 8am - 5pm
  • Tue: 8am - 5pm
  • Wed: 8am - 5pm
  • Thu: 8am - 5pm
  • Fri: 8am - 2pm
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed
Call Today to Make an Appointment 603-546-7460 Schedule Online

Location

25 Riverside Street, #201, Nashua, NH 03062

Office Hours

  • Monday 8am - 5pm
  • Tuesday 8am - 5pm
  • Wednesday 8am - 5pm
  • Thursday 8am - 5pm
  • Friday 8am - 2pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

Latest Blog Articles

Renew Your Smile with Restorative Dentistry

Over the course of a lifetime, a lot of things can happen that diminish your smile. This isn’t a criticism. It’s ...

Read More
Enjoy a Great Atmosphere for Family Dentistry

The right atmosphere can make a big difference in your willingness to visit the dentist. For family dentistry, you need ...

Read More
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Patient Testimonials
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Site Index

© 2021 Nashua Family Dentistry | All Rights Reserved |Privacy Policy|Sitemap

*Results May Vary By Individuals