People who live near the beach often hear the phrase, “sea air is good for your health.” While many aspects of beach living can have a positive impact on your health, sea air may not be as great for your teeth as many believe.
Dentists in Bournemouth, the tourist town in the UK’s South Coast, often get asked about how sea air affects teeth, particularly by patients who notice changes in their mouth after spending more time outdoors by the beach.
Below, let’s explore how sea air interacts with your mouth, based on feedback from dentists who practise in coastal areas. Find answers to whether sea air affects enamel and gum health, and how broader environmental factors such as climate and air quality may also play a role.
Sea Air Does Affect Oral Health
Sea air isn’t directly harmful to your teeth, but it can indirectly affect oral health by drying out the mouth.
Sea air contains tiny salt particles in much higher concentrations than in other parts of the country. Salty air can encourage dehydration, especially if you don’t pay attention to hydration.
Dehydration, even mild, causes saliva production to decrease, causing dry mouth. Saliva is an important defence against cavity and gum disease-causing bacteria. When you have dry mouth, your risk of tooth decay and gum disease mildly increases. If dry mouth persists, the risk increases.
Breezy Beaches and Xerostomia
Coastal towns, like Bournemouth, tend to be windy. While very comforting, sea breeze increases moisture evaporation from the lips and the mouth. If you spend a lot of time walking near the beach and swimming, you are more likely to experience xerostomia, or dry mouth, as mentioned above.
It’s important to note that taking a walk on the beach doesn’t cause tooth damage. What happens is that people don’t notice their mouths are drying out. When having fun by the beach, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. Beachgoers are also more likely to sip sugary or carbonated drinks rather than water, which can contribute to dry mouth and associated dental problems.
Mouth Breathing
This happens a lot to people while they walk along the beach, often without much awareness. Due to the saltiness and the windier air in coastal areas, people end up mouth breathing unconsciously. It happens a lot more during colder weather than hot weather.
Mouth breathing, too, can dry out saliva and contribute to xerostomia. Teeth are less protected when you breathe through your mouth, so it’s important to ensure that you are sipping water when doing any activity along the beach.
Does Sea Air Erode Enamel?
No, sea air doesn’t cause enamel erosion, and this is a common misconception. Acids cause enamel erosion, and sea air isn’t acidic. It’s just saltier, and that can contribute to saliva reduction in the mouth, which is linked to a higher risk of dental problems.
Sea air by itself isn’t harmful, but rather what matters is that you don’t become dehydrated while being active near a beach.
How to Protect Your Teeth When Living Near a Coast
These simple tips will help you enjoy beach living without risking oral health problems:
Remember to Stay Hydrated
The biggest concern for oral health in coastal areas is dry mouth, and there’s a very easy fix for it: drink plenty of water. Take a bottle of water with you on jogs, walks, or dog walking on the beach, and take occasional sips even if you don’t feel particularly thirsty. In cold weather, you may not feel thirsty even when your mouth is drying out.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
If you don’t want to keep drinking water, you can try chewing sugar-free gum while lounging by the beach. It stimulates saliva production, keeping your mouth and lips hydrated and protected. Avoid sugary gums as the sweetness will also stimulate the bacteria in your mouth, increasing your risk of tooth decay.
Maintain a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine
Don’t forget to brush your teeth daily using a fluoride toothpaste. Proper oral hygiene is essential for protecting your teeth and gums, regardless of where you live. However, it is particularly important when there’s a higher risk of dry mouth, such as in beachfront areas.
Living by the beach is not inherently bad for your teeth, as long as you stay hydrated and brush daily. Attend regular dental check-ups to detect problems early. With your teeth well cared for, you will be able to enjoy coastal living to the fullest.
Author Bio
Dr Malavi Sivakanesan is the co-founder and principal clinician at the Complete Smiles dental clinic in Bournemouth. She has a special interest in edentulism (adult tooth loss). Outside of managing the Complete Smiles clinics in the UK and Norway, Dr Sivakanesan is a dedicated advocate for affordable dental care.
