Are carbonated drinks bad for your teeth?

Many people are making the switch from sugar filled sodas to sparkling water and other sugar-free flavored fizzy drinks, but are they really much better for your teeth?

It’s a well known fact that traditional sodas are packed with sugar, which can directly contribute to tooth decay. Another unsavory characteristic of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages is their acidity, which can lead to tooth erosion. 

Recently there has been a major surge in popularity of sparkling water and flavored sugar-free fizzy drinks. The question remains however, how much better are they really for your teeth?

Although sparkling water doesn’t contain sugar, the carbonation that gives it it’s signature fizz is what has some people concerned. However, studies have shown that the pH ( acidity ) of most sparkling waters doesn’t differ drastically from most regular flat water. A few things to be aware of however, certain flavorings added to these beverages such as lemon can impact the pH resulting in a more acidic beverage which can overtime lead to enamel erosion. 

So what’s the verdict? The American Dental Association recommends swapping sugar filled sodas for unsweetened sparkling water if you need to get your fizzy drink fix but not entirely replacing regular fluoridated water for sparking water.