Is Sparkling Water a Problem for a Healthy Mouth?

Sparkling water is water that has been carbonated, much like how soda is carbonated. With an increase in people drinking more sparkling water lately, there has also been an increase in fear about how it may affect our oral health.

Water Over Soda

The short answer to the question is that it is less of a problem than soda. While there is no sugar to decay your teeth, the carbonation has a property which can lead to erosion of the enamel on your teeth. This does not mean that it is causing damage, but it does change what is happening in your mouth. If you find yourself still worried about drinking sparkling water, but you still want to, take the same tips that we give for consuming teas and coffees and apply them here.

Tips on How to Drink Responsibly

Just like drinks with staining qualities, there are a few tips you can use to help mitigate the damage. For example, you can drink through a straw and that will limit both the amount of time the liquid is in your mouth, and the number of surface areas which it can come into contact with. Further, if you choose to drink one of these, make sure that you drink it—these are not full-day sipping drinks, instead consume them quickly so that your saliva can begin the repair process, and follow them with a normal water rinse. Lastly, set a timer for 30 minutes after you have finished your drink and then go brush your teeth. The acidity in the carbonation will cause the surface of your teeth to soften slightly and brushing your teeth right after drinking will end up creating more damage. If you’d like to know more, give our office a call for an appointment.

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