bad breath<\/a> occasionally, like after eating onions or garlic bread; however, it can also be a sign you\u2019re not hydrated. If your mouth isn\u2019t producing as much saliva, it increases odor-causing bacteria. Drinking a glass of water may be all you need to stop the odor while keeping your mouth moist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Cramps or Muscle Spasms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dehydration can deplete your body of vital minerals, like sodium and potassium. The electrolyte imbalance can affect pH levels in your body, which can affect the nervous system. If you are taking a walk and you feel pain or tightness in a muscle, it can indicate mild dehydration. It\u2019s important to pay attention to any involuntary muscle spasms or painful cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Headache<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not unusual for dehydration to trigger migraines, which may be caused by the brain tissue shrinking from lack of water. Although an OTC pain reliever can stop your discomfort, it\u2019s also a good idea to drink a glass of water, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Dark Urine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The color of your urine is a good indicator of your hydration. It should be a pale yellow color, which becomes clearer the more you drink. If your urine is dark, it\u2019s time to drink up. Depending on the darkness, it may take more than one glass to rehydrate your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Dizziness or Lightheadedness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded are common signs you\u2019re not getting enough water. You may even feel a little nauseated. You may not be coming down with a stomach bug. Your symptoms can be caused by inadequate hydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Staying Hydrated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Drinking water isn\u2019t the only way to help you stay hydrated during the warmer months. Other foods and liquids with high water content can keep dehydration at bay, like watermelon or a smoothie. However, avoid anything with high sugar, salt, or alcohol content because they can increase the risk of hydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The amount you need to drink varies on several factors, like your activity level. As a general rule of thumb, take a few sips of water every 15 to 20 minutes. You can look forward to a great summer by staying hydrated throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About Dr. John Hamel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDr. Hamel<\/a> earned his dental degree from the Emory School of Dentistry and has completed advanced training at Baylor University, Las Vegas Institute, and the Institute for Oral Art and Design. He supports the mouth and body connection to promote optimal wellness. Contact our office<\/a> today to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Summer is right around the corner, which means plenty of time spent outdoors soaking up the sun and warmer temperatures. Whether you\u2019re having a picnic, sitting by the pool, or spending a day at the lake, it\u2019s time to drink more water. If you aren\u2019t careful, dehydration can occur quickly. Losing just 1% to 2% […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143,"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions\/143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biologicdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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Summer is right around the corner, which means plenty of time spent outdoors soaking up the sun and warmer temperatures. Whether you\u2019re having a picnic, sitting by the pool, or spending a day at the lake, it\u2019s time to drink more water. If you aren\u2019t careful, dehydration can occur quickly. Losing just 1% to 2% of your body\u2019s water can affect your functioning and lead to life-threatening complications if you don\u2019t act fast. Here are 5 subtle signs of dehydration to watch for to ensure nothing dampers your summer plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n