Can sparkling water damage your teeth?

Sparkling water is made by putting CO2 in water. Carbon dioxide produces carbonic acid. The problem is the PH, which is the measure of acidity. The normal PH of water is 7 on a scale of 1-14- and most sodas have a low PH somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5. The problem is that low PH (acidic liquids and foods) work to remove the enamel of the teeth- they dissolve the enamel. In moderation, this is less of a problem.

People who drink a lot of sparkling water can damage their teeth by removing the enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body and the protection for the tooth structure. If you combine sparkling water with parafunctional habits such as teeth grinding, then it’s even worse because if you grind your teeth after the acid in the sparkling water has eroded the teeth, it makes it much more likely that you will remove the enamel from the teeth.

Sipping sparkling water (people who sip it all day long) will expose your teeth to the acid for a much longer period of time- it’s a function of exposure time. The worst thing you can do is brush your teeth right after drinking sparkling water- the acidic water softens the enamel and then brushing works to remove the enamel.

How to protect your teeth if you are a frequent sparkling water drinker

Prescription level fluoride tends to protect the teeth from acid. There are other materials we dispense such as MI Paste and prescription level fluoride, which works to protect the teeth from acids. Regular water is much better for you.

If you must drink a carbonated beverage (soda, sparkling water), then do it in moderation and try to limit the exposure of time you drink it.

For example, when someone drinks soda, I tell them to buy a can, not a bottle. A can you drink at once, whereas a bottle it sits and you re-cap over a longer period of time.

1) Limit exposure
2) Do it in moderation
3) Don’t brush your teeth right after you drink sparkling water
4) See your dentist about dispensed materials to protect your teeth

Be honest with your dentist if you drink sparkling water so they can prescribe materials that will help in protecting the enamel.

For more information on sparkling water, read my full interview in PopSugar “Put Down the Sparkling Water! It Has a Serious Side Effect You Probably Didn’t Think Of”