Sparkling water - what you need to know
Sparkling water - what you need to know
Is sparkling water ok for your teeth? If you missed my interview on Fair Go last night, here’s what you need to know:
Sparkling water is more acidic than plain water - meaning that it has the potential to damage your teeth by eroding the enamel which is the protective outer layer on your teeth.
Sparkling water is fine to enjoy, but how often you have it and how you drink it needs to be considered. I wouldn’t really call it a treat, not quite my words when you see the video.
The only real benefit of sparkling water is if it gets you drinking water when you don’t normally do so. There are no proven benefits in terms of digestion and in fact, for some people it can cause issues, and it only gives you a temporary feeling of fullness until you burp! It is no more ‘filling’ than normal water.
How much is ok? No two people are the same and other factors are at play in terms of your overall dental hygiene, but if you were drinking all your water this way, you might see a problem.
Tips to decrease the harm of sparkling water on your teeth:
Manage the amount you drink and how frequently.
Avoid sipping on it slowly - so don’t take a bottle out for the day and sip on it regularly, plain water is better if you drink like this.
Try drinking it through a straw to reduce the contact with your teeth.
Avoid adding lemon or other acidic things to it, same goes for plain water too, especially if you are sipping on it slowly!! I see people putting lemon into their water bottles and taking them out for the day. Best to avoid this.
It is best to mostly have still water and make it more interesting by adding cucumber, mint, berries.
Happy drinking!
