Carbonated Water and Teeth: What You Need to Know

Carbonated water is generally not bad for teeth, as long as it is sugar-free, not consumed in large quantities and not left in the mouth for long periods before swallowing. There are several things to keep in mind.

Sugar

• Carbonated water drinks sometimes contain sugar, which of course is bad for teeth. The caustic byproducts of bacteria that feeds on sugar can cause cavities and other problems.

Carbonation

• Carbonated water is more acidic than normal; however, the acids are highly soluble in water and therefore are washed off the tooth more easily than sugary drinks, which stick to the teeth.

Thirst

• Because carbonation makes water more acidic, ironically, the worst time to drink carbonated water is when you're very thirsty. This hampers the levels of saliva needed to wash away acids and re-mineralize the teeth.