Is sparkling water bad for my teeth?

It is commonly known that sugary fizzy drinks are bad for your teeth. The negative affects are two fold, the sugar can cause tooth decay, and the acid from the fizz can cause erosion. But what about sparkling water?

According to available research, plain sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth. In a study using teeth that were removed as a part of treatment and donated for research, researchers tested to see whether sparkling water would attack tooth enamel more aggressively than regular tap water. The result? The two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel. This finding suggests that, even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water, it’s all just water to your teeth.

via @kobuagency on Unsplash

What you need to be aware of is what else might be in your sparkling water.

  • Citrus flavored water will have higher acid levels so are more likely to cause erosion to your teeth. If you’re going to drink flavoured fizzy water, try to stay away from the citric acid!
  • Sparkling water with added sugar will put your teeth at risk of decay. Make sure your sparkling water has no added sugar.

So remember: Plain water is best for your teeth, whether sparkling or still!