Is Sparkling Water Bad For Your Teeth?

If you asked your dentist for their thoughts on soda, they'd recommend avoiding it. Why? Two big reasons:

• Sugar — soda has an abundance of it, leading to tooth decay and cavities
• Acid — most sodas are highly acidic, contributing to tooth erosion

So now you know what not to drink. Some healthier alternatives to drink include water, milk, and you guessed it — unsweetened sparkling water.

That fizzy refreshment in your sparkling water, it's caused by carbonation. And it's the carbonation that has some concerned. So is carbonated water bad for your teeth? According to Hindustan Times, a recent study had revealed that prolonged consumption of sports drinks may be linked to a condition known as erosive tooth wear, in which acids eat away the tooth's smooth hard enamel coating and trickle into the bonelike material underneath, causing the tooth to soften and weaken. So does minimally erosive equate to "bad"?

Sparkling water is much less erosive than other beverages. Which is good — so it's not bad for you. " For an average, healthy person, carbonated, sugar-free beverages are not going to be a main cavity-causing factor," according to the U.S. News & World Report article. However, it's not necessarily good for you. It's great to replace soda with sparkling water, but don't replace water with fluoride over its sparkling counterpart.

To battles against cavities and enamel erosion, there are a few things you can do.

• Brush with specially formulated toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel, replenish natural calcium, and protect against tooth sensitivity
• See your dentist regularly to detect signs of tooth decay early when it is easy to correct or reverse

Now you know the truth about sparkling water — it isn't bad for your teeth. You also understand what's needed to keep your teeth healthy while you enjoy something fizzy.