It’s All About The Sugar
Carbonated water is also called sparkling water, a refreshing beverage and an alternative to sugary soft drinks. It’s trendy, perky and energizing. But is it just our dissatisfaction with shelves upon shelves of other drinks in the market? Aren’t you worried about claims that sparkling water is bad for your health? Your teeth in particular?
Sparkling water is just water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. It produces a bubbly drink and that’s why it’s also called seltzer water, fizzy water, soda water or club water. Sodium and other minerals are sometimes added for taste. Sparkling water is slightly acidic, triggering a burning, prickly sensation that can be both irritating and enjoyable.
However, experts say that, drinking acidic beverages like carbonated water does not make your body more acidic. Your kidneys and lungs can remove excess carbon dioxide, maintaining your blood at slightly alkaline ph.
Because sparkling water is acidic, the question is, can it harm tooth enamel? A study found that it can damage slightly more than still water, yet a hundred times less damaging than soft drinks. Another study claimed that it can potentially damage enamel if it has added sugar. There’s another trial wherein samples of tooth enamel were placed in various beverages for up to 24 hours.
The result?
Carbonated and non-carbonated drinks with sugar resulted in significantly greater enamel loss than diet drinks. Hence, sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages can erode tooth enamel, but plain carbonated water appears to be relatively harmless.
Carbonated drinks seem to have some benefits affecting digestion. It is said to improve swallowing, helps one feel full longer than plain water, and may relieve constipation. Where bone health is concerned, plain sparkling water appears to have a neutral or positive effect; however, carbonated cola drinks may harm bone health.
Recommending Carbonated Drinks Without Sugar
Sparkling water is just fine for us at Song Dental. We indulge this refreshing drink occasionally and have fun. Nonetheless, your dental experts in Lynnwood are more into plain water, with fluoride. Visit us and know more about healthy and not-so- healthy drinks.
