I put one thing in my water every single morning.
And it’s not lemon. Most people think I’m about to say “collagen” or some trendy supplement.
Nope.
It’s electrolytes.
You’ve been told to drink more water your entire life.
Eight glasses a day, or half your body weight in ounces.
But here’s what nobody mentions:
Saliva needs minerals to function—and most filtered water doesn’t provide them.
If you’re drinking filtered water, you might be hydrating… and simultaneously depleting yourself.
That’s why so many people drink water all day and still feel:
- Brain fog
- Chronic fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Poor sleep
The problem isn’t the amount of water.
It’s what’s missing from it.
Your saliva is mostly water… but the magic is in the minerals.
Your saliva isn’t just moisture in your mouth. It’s a sophisticated defense system that:
✔️ Remineralizes your enamel after every acid attack from food or bacteria
✔️ Buffers pH swings to keep your mouth in a protective alkaline state
✔️ Feeds beneficial microbes while starving the harmful ones
✔️ Protects your esophagus and stomach from ulcerations
✔️ Produces nitric oxide (critical for blood flow, brain function, and cardiovascular health)
✔️ Aids digestion by breaking down food before it even reaches your stomach
But here’s the catch:
A happy tooth isn’t just “bathed in saliva.”
It’s bathed in mineral-rich saliva.
And when your water has no minerals? Your saliva can’t do its job!
Where Did All the Minerals Go?
Our soil has been depleted—dramatically. The vegetables you eat today might contain a fraction of the nutrients they had 50 years ago.
We’re also filtering our water (which is good—you don’t want chlorine, fluoride, or pharmaceutical residues)… but most people stop there. They’re not putting minerals back in.
Add chronic stress (which burns through minerals), caffeine, alcohol, and common medications—and now we’re talking widespread low-grade depletion.
It shows up as:
- Dry mouth
- Cavities or enamel erosion
- Low energy or brain fog
- Muscle cramps
- Poor sleep
Sound familiar?
What I Do Every Morning
The first thing I drink every day isn’t coffee.
It’s a big glass of filtered water with a clean electrolyte powder—no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no junk.
That’s when your body is most dehydrated, and your mouth needs support the most.
I’m extremely picky about supplements. Most electrolyte products are loaded with garbage or have improper sodium-potassium ratios. The one I use has become part of my non-negotiable morning routine because I noticed a real difference in my energy and—surprisingly—my mouth feel.
Healthy saliva should feel slippery—like it’s lubricating everything in your mouth. It should flow easily, coating your teeth and gums without feeling watery or sticky. That’s what proper mineralization does. And when that’s working right, you don’t get that chronic dry mouth feeling throughout the day. I also don’t get that mid-afternoon crash anymore.
But, keep in mind…
You can drink all the mineralized water in the world, but if you’re mouth breathing—especially at night—you’re drying out your saliva and concentrating acids.
Mouth breathing is one of the most overlooked contributors to cavities, gum disease, and chronic dry mouth.
Start with:
- Gentle mouth tape at night (this is what I use)
- Xylitol nasal spray to keep airways clear (I recommend this one)
- Tongue posture exercises
And if you’re waking up with a dry mouth, or your partner says you snore, book a consultation with an airway dentist through my Functional Dentist Directory.
An airway dentist is one who understands and treats the connection between the mouth and breathing while you sleep—it’s a massive piece of the puzzle that is far too often overlooked.
Dentistry is not just about cavities! Your mouth is a window into your overall health. When your saliva is mineral-rich and properly buffered, you’re not just protecting your teeth. You’re supporting nitric oxide production, reducing inflammation, and maintaining the bacterial balance that protects you from disease.
When it’s depleted, you’re fighting an uphill battle.
So…you don’t need to drown yourself in water, BUT you might need to hydrate a little smarter.
Hydrate in a way that supports your saliva, your oral microbiome, and your mineral stores.
Try it for a week. See what shifts. And let me know what results you get—just hit reply to this email, I love hearing from you.
– Mark
P.S. There’s so much more to saliva than what I’ve covered here—like how it protects your esophagus from ulceration, how it communicates directly with your gut microbiome, and why mouth breathers have fundamentally different bacterial profiles than nasal breathers. Give my “Holy Spit” episode with Organic Olivia a listen. It’s an oldie, but a goodie.