Can Sparkling Water Harm Your Teeth?
Let’s face it, drinking water can get boring from time to time, and we all have a more exciting beverage on hand when a craving strikes. That may be soda, juice, coffee, tea, wine, or sparkling water for some people. But, can these beverages cause damage to our teeth? Rest assured, out of the list you just read, sparkling water is the least likely to cause short or long-term issues with your teeth. Any beverage that contains sugars or acids can cause damage to tooth structure in the form of cavities and erosion. In particular, from that list, soda, wine, and juice are prominent culprits for cavities, tooth wear, and even stains. On the other hand, tea (when not mixed with sugar or milk) and sparkling water are less harsh on your teeth and will not cause cavities or tooth erosion.
A study using cadaver teeth was conducted to test the effects of sparkling water on the health of tooth structure over time. For comparison’s sake, when teeth are placed in soda, they begin to show signs of decay and rot away within days. Remember, soda contains both sugars AND acids. Alternatively, when teeth are placed in sparkling water, they don’t show any signs of change over many days, similar to teeth placed in natural spring water. It was thought that because sparkling water is slightly higher in acidity than spring water, erosion of tooth surfaces may occur, but this is not the case. Sparkling water is slightly more acidic but not enough to show changes to tooth surfaces.
So, when grabbing a beverage that is not spring water, carbonated water is one of the following best alternatives. Remember, any additives in the water may make the drink worse for your teeth, such as added flavours or sugars. Even citrus can make a beverage more acidic and erosive. Remember to also drink a healthy amount of natural spring water with added fluoride to help keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free.
If you have any questions about sparkling water, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.