You hear it all the time, make sure you are drinking plenty of water. But what if you long for the fizz from your favourite soda? Carbonated water is all the rage and now with appliances like Soda Stream, you can make your own carbonated water beverages at home. However many people are still asking us if the carbonation is harmful to their teeth and we wanted to address this commonly asked question here.
Is the satisfying fizz of your sparkling water damaging your tooth enamel (the outer hard layer of your or teeth where cavities form) putting you at risk for tooth decay?
Studies have shown that sparkling water is much less erosive than other beverages. Carbonation, in general, has slightly more acidic levels than regular water, but not enough to make it at all harmful. Bubbly water or flat water is all just water to your teeth.
What about flavoured carbonated water?
Now carbonated water comes in all different kinds of fun, fruity and refreshing flavours, what you need to be mindful of when drinking these flavoured water beverages are:
- Any added sugars, you want water that is not sweetened. Once sugar is added you increase your risk of cavities.
- Citrus flavoured waters can have a higher acid level that can increase the risk of damage to your enamel. Plan to enjoy these with meals so that you are not sipping on them throughout the day.
- Some sparkling water brands contain sodium, if each can has 100 or 200 milligrams of sodium, that can add up, so find options that contain 0 sodium.
Jazz up your fizzy water by adding fresh strawberries and other fresh fruits, mint, ginger or even some sliced cucumbers. Remember drinking water is very important for good hydration, optimum health, fresh breath and healthy smiles!