Does the fizz of your favorite sparkling water put your teeth at risk of decay? Any carbonated drink – including sparkling water – has a high acidity level. Several sources question frequent consumption of sparkling water. Does it damage teeth?
So, does sparkling water affect my teeth?
Based on the available research, sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth – and here’s why. The study used teeth extracted for treatment purposes, and the researchers ran an experiment: would regular water or sparkling water do more damage to the teeth? The result: both forms of water had almost the same effect. This study showed that although sparkling water is slightly more acidic than regular water, both are just water as far as your teeth are concerned.
A few tips on how to protect your teeth
- Sparkling water is much better for your teeth than sugary drinks. Also, don’t forget to drink plain fluoridated water often – it is the best drink for your teeth. Fluoridated water naturally fights caries, washes food debris off the teeth and protects against dry mouth (which can put you at high risk of developing caries).
- Pay attention to what is in your sparkling water. Citrus-flavored sparkling water contains high doses of acids that damage tooth enamel. Try to drink it once a day or with a meal.
- Sparkling water with added sugar no longer counts as plain sparkling water. These are sweet drinks that put you at risk of caries, so remember – drinking water, sparkling or still, is always a good idea.
