It has carved out a privileged place for itself on the tables of restaurants and homes. In recent years, sparkling water has gradually supplanted other sugary or carbonated drinks, notably sodas. So much so that it begins to encroach on the terrain of the revered still water. Its mineral content (calcium, magnesium) is touted for its health benefits. But it seems that for the teeth, its consumption is a real scourge. We explain why.
Drinks harmful to teeth
Taking care of your teeth requires good oral hygiene and this of course involves what you eat, but also what you drink. Dentists obviously advise being wary of fruit juices and sodas. In question ? The sugars they contain. If we must keep sugars away of our teeth (and our health in general), this is because the bacteria in our mouth use them as a food Source. By feeding on these sugars, the bacteria release acids which gradually erode the crystals in tooth enamel.
Drinks that decrease saliva production also damage our teeth. It is known that alcohol, in particular the White wine, leads to dehydration. However, saliva is essential for dental protection since it helps eliminate harmful bacteria. To have beautiful and strong teeth, you must therefore avoid wine and favor water. But not all waters.
The dangers of sparkling water
If you thought that sparkling waters didn’t affect your teeth like soda can, think again. Slate takes up the results of a study carried out on the effect of these waters on tooth enamel. It is the acidity of this drink which is to blame. Beverages with a low pH, i.e. greater acidity, can gradually damage enamel, especially when consumed frequently and in large quantities. Plain water, with a pH of around 7, is considered neutral. For comparison, coffee has a pH of 5, while lemon juice has a pH of 2.
During this study, two sparkling waters were examined: San Pellegrinowith a pH of 4.96, and the Perrier, whose pH was 5.25. These two carbonated waters, having a pH greater than 4, would a priori be without danger for dental health. Additionally, some caution is advised when it comes to home carbonation devices: the pH of sparkling water produced by SodaStream can vary between 3.58 and 3.74.
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Advice from specialists
If you like plain, tasteless sparkling water, it is a good idea to not brushing your teeth within thirty minutes of consumption, especially if you drank it during a meal. As sparkling water is slightly acidic and can erode enamel, immediate brushing could cause additional abrasion which could be harmful to the teeth.
Although it is preferable to favor still water, sparkling water does not represent a major health risk. It remains a healthier option when compared to most energy drinks, sodas or juices. It is nevertheless important to pay attention to the quantity consumed. Brittany Seymour, a professor at Harvard Medical School, warns against excessive consumption. “ I advise my patients not to systematically replace still water with sparkling water, or to drink more than two or three bottles per day..
