Is Sparkling Water Bad For Your Teeth?

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

• Sugar — carbonated beverages have an abundance of it, leading to tooth decay and cavities
• Acid — most carbonated beverages 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 is caused by carbonation. And it's the carbonation that has some concerned. Is sparkling water bad for your teeth? Plain sparkling water is better for your teeth than flavoured sodas (whether diet or regular), which have a lower PH, according to this Channel News Asia commentary. So does less acidic equate to "bad"?

Sparkling water is much less erosive than other beverages. This is good news as it means that it's not bad for you. For an average healthy person, carbonated, sugar-free beverages are probably not going to be a main cavity-causing factor. 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 battle against cavities and enamel erosion, there are a couple of 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.