You know how important it is to brush, floss and visit the dentist to prevent cavities. But you might not think much about another important dental hygiene step: drinking water.

Water energizes your cells and helps your body remove toxins. But water also protects your teeth in several different ways.

When food debris gets trapped in your teeth, it attracts bacteria, and that bacteria eats away at your teeth and causes decay. You may not be able to remove all these particles by brushing and flossing alone. Water helps by dislodging and washing away this unwanted debris.

Did you know that saliva contains proteins and minerals that protect your teeth against decay? Since saliva is 95% percent water, drinking enough water helps you produce the saliva that guards your teeth.

Drinking water supplies throughout Australia contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps your teeth resist decay. Other sources of fluoride include toothpaste and fluoride treatments at the dentist’s office. But studies estimate that fluoride in drinking water prevents tooth decay by 25%.

Note that you’ll need to drink tap water-not bottled water-to get the fluoride benefits. Most bottled water doesn’t contain enough fluoride to benefit your teeth.

Brushing your teeth just wouldn’t be the same without water. In fact, if toothpaste isn’t available, brushing your teeth with just water will give you many similar benefits. The vigorous act of brushing combined with the rinsing and cleansing power of water can have a powerful impact on dental health. But toothpaste is still important-it contains fluoride and other teeth-cleaning substances.

Those who don’t drink water often choose beverages that are high in sugar. This sugar attracts bacteria. As the bacteria eats at the sugar, it creates acids, which break down your tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.

Just look at the sugar content in a serving size of some common drinks:

Orange juice: 21 g

Coca Cola: 40 g

Sprite: 61 g

Red Bull: 27 g

Gatorade: 36 g

Vitamin Water: 27 g

Lipton Ice Tea: 26.5 g

By choosing water over other drinks, you avoid the harmful effects of sugar excess.

Drinking more water sounds great in theory, but how do you actually increase your water intake? Here are a few ideas:

1. To freshen up water’s taste, add a slice of fresh lemon, strawberry or kiwi.

2. Bring a water bottle to work and set it on the desk next to you.

3. Set a “water break” alarm on your phone that reminds you to stop and drink a glass of water several times during the day.

4. Drink a glass of water at every meal.

5. Eat fruits and vegetables-they have a high water content.

6. For a treat, drink flavoured water instead of soda or alcohol.

7. Bring enough water with you when you exercise. If you’re hiking, try using a hydration pack.

8. Keep filtered water in the refrigerator for a cool, refreshing taste.

9. Make a homemade ice pop-which is high in water-instead of a sugary dessert. Simply put water and fruit in a mould and freeze it.

10. Drink a glass of water every morning before breakfast.

Water does so much more than keep you hydrated. Drinking enough water can give your teeth the strength they need to resist cavities and decay. But don’t forget to brush, floss, and see a dentist twice a year as well to ensure your teeth are in top shape. For more dental health tips, keep reading our blog.