Triple-digit temperatures have settled into North Texas, and if you’re spending any time outdoors, we hope you’re drinking plenty of water. Staying well hydrated — in the heat or otherwise — is one of the simplest things you can do to maintain good mouth/body health.
For your mouth, much of it is about the saliva, one of its most important natural defenses. Saliva does more than help you break down food and wash away food particles. It neutralizes acids and, crucially, delivers minerals to your teeth to keep the enamel strong. When you’re dehydrated, saliva production tends to go down, leaving you more vulnerable to dry mouth, bad breath, decay, and gum disease.
We recommend that the water you drink be fluoride-free. Any protective benefit fluoride may offer comes from its direct contact with the teeth rather than swallowing it. Meantime, such fluoride exposure isn’t without its risks — outlined nicely here by the IAOMT, with scientific references.
But fluoride isn’t the only water-related matter worth thinking about — especially if you regularly drink bottled water.
In recent years, researchers have found that bottled water can contain large amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics. Some appear to come from the water source itself. Others appear to be introduced during manufacture, bottling, transportation, storage, and even the simple act of opening the bottle. The bottle and cap themselves can also shed microscopic plastic particles over time.
We recently came across a terrific article in The Revelator about this growing issue, which includes a helpful overview of several recent studies. One statistic in particular really jumped out at us:
Recent research from Concordia University in Canada shows that people who drink bottled water ingest up to 90,000 more microparticles of plastic a year than those who drink tap water.
Scientists are still working to understand exactly what these particles may mean for human health over the long term, but early research has already raised concerns about their potential effects on inflammation, endocrine health, reproduction, cardiovascular health, and more.
This is a situation in which the precautionary principle makes sense
The Precautionary Principle in its simplest form states: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically”.
While some argue that the principle is actually a barrier to innovation and science, following it often makes good sense while the science continues to develop.
With that in mind, here are a few practical ways to reduce unnecessary plastic exposure while continuing one of the healthiest habits you can have:
If you’re drinking tap water, filter it. There are many varieties of filtering systems available, including some that can remove fluoride. You can explore these in our previous post here.
Reach for glass when it’s practical. A refillable glass bottle is one of the simplest ways to reduce everyday plastic exposure at home, at work, or on the go.
Stainless steel is another excellent option. A good-quality stainless steel bottle is durable, reusable, and avoids many of the concerns associated with plastic.
If you prefer reusable plastic, choose it carefully. Look for bottles specifically designed for repeated use, replace them once they become scratched or worn, and avoid repeatedly reusing disposable water bottles. We also like this guide from The Filtery, which reviews a number of lower-toxicity bottle materials and brands.
Keep plastic bottles out of prolonged heat. Whenever possible, avoid leaving bottled water sitting for hours in a hot car or in direct sunlight, where heat may increase the shedding of tiny plastic particles.
Small choices add up. You don’t have to change everything overnight. Each time you choose filtered water, carry a reusable bottle, or keep plastic out of prolonged heat, you’re taking another small step toward reducing unnecessary exposure.
And if you have to rely on bottled water, here’s a good resource for learning about the fluoride content of different brands.
