Is Seltzer Water Bad for Your Teeth? | Springbank Dental

You might think that seltzer water is a healthier choice to soda, but is this really the case? Is it secretly wreaking havoc on your pearly whites? It’s important to consider your overall oral health when selecting what to drink, and the maintenance that may be required to stay ahead of any potential threats to your teeth.

Seltzer water has the potential to harm your teeth in two distinct manners. The initial culprit is the ubiquitous carbon dioxide found in every bottle of seltzer water. The secondary threat comes from the flavor enhancers often found in seltzer water varieties, those troublesome sugar and citric acid components.

Regrettably, your beloved sparkling water could be playing havoc with your teeth. Those delightfully fizzy bubbles that dance on your tongue are a product of carbon dioxide, a culprit known to erode the protective enamel of your teeth. Furthermore, the sweet taste that makes some seltzers so irresistible often comes from sugar, another notorious agent of tooth damage.

Despite this, even unflavoured seltzer water remains a superior choice for your dental health compared to soda and other sugar-laden beverages. Preserving your oral health while indulging in your beloved effervescent water is doable! Moderate intake and a consistent oral hygiene routine can allow you to continue enjoying seltzer water without causing significant harm to your teeth.

How Are Teeth Affected by Carbon Dioxide in Seltzer Water?

Seltzer water owes its delightful fizz to the injection of pressurized carbon dioxide into water. Those enchanting bubbles you see and feel? That's the magic of pressurized carbon dioxide at work. And here's a fun fact, thanks to the inclusion of carbon dioxide, seltzer water boasts a slight tang, rendering it a tad acidic.

The zest found in fizzy seltzer water might indeed take a toll on your dental health. Current studies suggest, with findings that tooth enamel subjected to seltzer water three times daily for 15-minute intervals, over the course of one week, underwent notable reductions in microhardness. The data brings to light that recurring contact with seltzer water has the potential to undermine the sturdy shield of our enamel.

Here's a silver lining for you, mitigating the impact of carbon dioxide on your pearly whites is doable! By simply drinking regular water following your seltzer water, you can effectively dilute and wash off any residual carbon dioxide that might be clinging to your tooth enamel. Furthermore, limiting your seltzer water indulgence to once daily or even less, can significantly decrease your teeth's exposure to the carbonic acid found in seltzer water. 

The Effect Flavouring in Seltzer Water Has on Teeth

Some sparkling waters are enhanced with flavor for additional taste enjoyment. However, traditional flavoring additions often harbor sugars or citric acid. These elements can pose challenges to maintaining a healthy oral environment.

The tangy kick in lemons and limes that you adore is attributed to citric acid. However, this element holds the potential to wear away your tooth enamel. Constantly quenching your thirst with the sparkle of citric acid-infused seltzer waters could gradually chip away at the durability of your enamel.

Seltzer water may contain additional elements such as sugar. The presence of sugar poses a risk to dental health: it reacts with saliva, leading to the production of harmful acids. These acids can erode tooth enamel, leading to oral health issues such as tooth decay and cavities. 

Reducing The Risks of Flavoured Seltzer Water

To keep the risks low while enjoying flavored seltzer waters, it's best to pace yourself. A single flavored water doesn't carry enough citric acid or sugar to pose a severe threat to your tooth health. But, sipping them consistently and slowly could lead to problems.

For those who love sipping on flavored seltzer water, here's a quick tip for you. Avoid leisurely sipping on these acid-based drinks. Why? Because doing so extends the period of time in which your teeth are submerged in an acidic setting, hampering your saliva's ability to balance out this acid in your mouth.

Sip some simple water after your fizzy seltzer water to reduce the impact of flavor additives on your teeth. Regular or fluoridated water helps dilute any lingering acidic elements in your oral cavity. If you're able to get fluoridated water, it can further defend your tooth enamel.

How to Pick a Selt

Seltzer water can still be a part of your daily routine, but not all may have the same acidity levels. A touch of research can help you take a deeper dive into the relative acidity of popular seltzer water options on the market.

Feel free to peruse the ingredients detailed on the label of any drink, allowing you to determine which seltzer waters contain minimum quantities of sugar and citric acid. The seltzer waters least probable to inflict dental damage are typically characterized by low acidity levels and an absence of added flavors.

Maintaining Your Oral Health

Keeping your pearly whites in top condition means sticking to good old-fashioned water as your drink of choice. While most eatables and beverages won't wreak havoc on your dental health if taken sparingly, it's best to steer clear of those loaded with sugars and acids. Amplify your dental health routine with a twice-a-day brushing protocol and daily flossing, your smile will thank you for it!

Preserving your dental well-being is crucial, and it's all about consistency with your check-ups and cleanings. At Springbank Dental, we're here to look after the dental needs of your entire family, ensuring everyone's smile is beaming with confidence. Don't wait another day, schedule your visit with us now and let's keep your oral health on point.