Everyone knows we should be drinking more fresh, unadulterated water. It’s probably the most common advice you receive from medical professionals behind “get more exercise.” Many believe they’ve found a cheat code in the form of flavored sparkling water. The flavorings don’t have any sugar or calories, so it’s an all-clear on that front. Further, there’s no sodium, so salt intake isn’t an issue. What could be the problem with the sparkling water trend on social media? There’s a hidden danger in that seemingly simple bottle of sparkling water. The team at McCartney Dental is here to reveal this threat and help you protect your oral health.
The Sparkling Threat To Your Oral Health
That ice-cold bottle of water with its bubbling fizz threatens your teeth’ health. While the lack of sugar and salt is an important start, there’s another matter to consider. Those bubbles result from injecting carbon monoxide into the water, imbuing it with that fizzy sensation we all know and love. Unfortunately, when the carbon dioxide infuses the water, it produces another substance as a side effect. That substance is carbonic acid, an unavoidable part of the carbonation process. The normal pH of water renders it wholly neutral and not a threat to your enamel. With the carbonic acid present, the pH shifts to 3, making it an acidic solution that can weaken the strength of your enamel and lead to tooth decay. However, all is not lost. Sparkling water is notably better than sugary soda, sweet tea, or sweetened coffee. While it would be best to avoid sparkling water altogether, there are some things you can do to limit the threat it poses to your teeth.
These include:
- Rinsing – After every tasty sparkling water, rinse your mouth with fresh, clean water from the non-sparkling variety. Alternatively, you could enjoy a tall glass of unadulterated water. You can also include sugar and calorie-free flavoring if you cannot tolerate the taste of fresh, clean water.
- Mix it Up – Take some time off from sparkling water, or alternate it with fresh, clean water. This has the same effect as rinsing; it removes the acidic sparkling water from your teeth, limiting the time to damage your dental enamel.
Ultimately, the best option is to simply avoid drinking sparkling water for hydration. You can use the same flavoring packets in normal water and avoid the risks associated with carbonic acid altogether. This way, you get flavor and hydration without impacting your dental health.
Contact McCartney Dental For More Tips
If you’re looking for more hydration tips that won’t impact the health of your teeth, why not consult your dental professional? The team here at McCartney Dental eagerly provides patient education opportunities. Patients who understand the various facets of their oral health are likelier to make healthy choices for their smiles between visits. This means every visit to the dentist can produce a clean bill of health for your pearly whites! Call 941-423-4334 to schedule your appointment.
