Does Sparkling Water Hurt Your Teeth?

Does Sparkling Water Hurt Your Teeth?

Does Sparkling Water Hurt Your Teeth?

To make sparkling water, Carbon dioxide gas is infused into water under pressure. Some popular examples of sparkling water are Club soda (which frequently includes additional minerals), soda water, and seltzer water. There are many more different types of effervescent water. Because of the carbonation, sparkling water has fewer calories and is comparable to soft drinks. Although it is a delightful alternative to drinks, is it bad to drink sparkling water every day? This is what our Molson Park Family Dentist in Barrie has to say about it.

Sparkling water can aid in preventing dehydration which may cause dry lips, headaches, weariness, and a decline in performance. Constipation, heart and kidney issues and digestive problems may all be brought on by chronic dehydration. Since the world is warmer now, hydration for the sake of good health has become more important. The problem is many people don’t want to drink pure, unadulterated water. They want sparkling water that has flavours. With so many brands of sparkling water already on the market, it is normal to wonder is carbonated water bad for your teeth?

Why is Soda Water Bad for Teeth?

Research conducted by the American Dental Association found that teeth that are soaked in sparkling water don’t have any difference in erosion when compared to teeth soaked in regular water. While further studies are needed, there is no definitive evidence to answer the question of is carbonated water harmful to teeth. What is clear, however, is that it is not the sparkle that is the problem.

The issue with sparkling water is the ingredients that are contained in it. To distinguish their products, manufacturers add a varying range of ingredients. Some add high amounts of sugar, which increases the risk of cavities.

Another type of fizzy water bad for teeth is the one that contains artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners include xylitol and aspartame. They can be harmful to your health, especially when you drink water in high quantities. It is also good to note that sparkling water that is infused with orange or lemon flavouring might have considerably high levels of citric acid, which may damage your teeth.

There is also the fact that turning regular water into sparkling water requires the water to be put under low temperatures, and high pressure is used to force carbon dioxide gas into it. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in the water, it creates carbonic acid. This is what gives sparkling water a pH level that is lower than that of tap water. This simply means sparkling water is more acidic. So is sparkling water bad for children’s teeth? With this information in mind, the answer is yes. This is because of the acidity.

A study by Catriona Brown for the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Birmingham concluded that sparkling water has the same corrosive effects on teeth as orange juice. Orange juice has been proven to erode teeth enamel. Another study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation further showed that flavourless sparkling water and plain mineral water have a minimal damaging effect on teeth.

Can sparkling water damage your teeth? With the above sciences in mind, the answer is yes. This is because it is clear that there is a slight chance that this fizzy water can have a damaging effect on your teeth. However, even in worst-case scenarios, the damage is equivalent to that of taking a sugarless fruit juice.

How to Enjoy Sparkling Water While Protecting Your Teeth

Drinking plenty of water every day is the best way to combat bad breath, cavities and other oral problems. The issue is that tap water is tasteless. This does not, however, mean that you should give up on using fizzy water. There is a way of taking plenty of sparkling water without damaging your teeth. Here are some of the things you should consider doing.

  • Stick to unflavored sparkling water

Is plain sparkling water bad for your teeth? As aforementioned, sparkling water is bad for your teeth because of its flavours. Some brands of sparkling water add too much sugar. This is what makes flavoured water bad for teeth. So is sparkling water bad for your gum? It depends on how much sugar is in the water. Too much sugar will promote the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

You also need to stay away from flavoured sparkling water because of the high acidity. Unflavored carbonated water has more acidity than tap water. When flavours such as lemon or orange are added, the acidity goes even higher. High acid levels will damage your teeth.

  • Use a straw

One way of ensuring sparkling water does minimal damage to your teeth is using a straw. Drinking carbonated beverages with a straw defends the teeth by reducing the amount of contact between the harmful elements and the enamel of your teeth.

  • Take drinks with a meal

Sipping sparkling water throughout the day increases your teeth’ exposure to harmful elements. You will be better off taking sparkling water with food. This is because chewing will increase the production of saliva, which, in turn, neutralizes most of the acid from the food and sparkling water.

  • Brush after 30 minutes

Do I need to brush my teeth after drinking sparkling water? If you want to maintain good oral hygiene, you should brush your teeth after taking sparkling water. This is because after drinking sparkling water, the enamel of your teeth will be weakened. Taking time to brush immediately after taking this water will protect your teeth.

Now that you have the answer to the question of is soda stream water bad for your teeth and know how to protect yourself better, you need to visit a dentist for regular checkups. This is because most dental problems occur gradually. This is more so when it comes to cavities. Only by identifying these problems early will you be able to reverse them.

At Molson Park Dental, we are happy to be your family dentist. We are ready to answer any question you may have about sparkling water and offer professional dental services that are tailored to you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

This post was last modified on Tháng mười một 27, 2024 6:49 chiều