How Alkaline Water Can Benefit Your Teeth and Breath

Drinking alkaline water not only is good for your health, but it also freshens your breath, according to dental researchers in Canada. "The main cause of bad breath is bacteria in the mouth," reports Anne Bosy, a Toronto scientist specializing in breath treatment. Since bacteria feed on acids, controlling their numbers is as easy as changing the pH in the mouth. "Anything that's high in alkaline is good for neutralizing the acids in the mouth," says Tammy Gouweloos, a dental hygienist with a holistic approach to oral health. Alkaline water with a pH between 8.2 and of 11.0 eliminates the acidic environment, reducing the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Drinking alkaline water also stimulates the saliva glands to produce more moisture, which helps to flush the bacteria out of the mouth. "Anything that increases saliva flow is helpful," says Don Friedlander, president-elect of The Canadian Dental Association. He encourages his patients with bad breath to drink lots of water.

Tammy Goweloo agrees that saliva production can cut down on bad breath, but she cautions against using mouthwash, gum, or mints to stimulate the saliva glands. "Alcohol mouthwash can be nasty on the cells of the mouth," Goweloo points out. Instead, the dental hygienist suggests rinsing the mouth with warm water.

Foods with a high alkaline content, such as parsley, also decrease acidity and bacteria. The effects of parsley are short-lived, however, so you would have to chew some several times a day. The dark-colored herb also is notorious for sticking to the teeth. By contrast, you can drink alkaline water all day with complete confidence that it will leave your smile clean and your breath smelling better than ever.

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