Carbonated water is fizzy because it contains CO2, which is also causing ocean acidification, which is causing problems for shellfish for the same reason as it hurts our teeth.
A. Pawlowski
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Carbonated water gets its fizz from carbon dioxide. A chemical reaction in your mouth turns the CO2 into carbonic acid, not only giving the drink a tangy, zesty, refreshing bite, but also making it more acidic.
That’s where the potential for dental erosion comes in, because the acid in drinks and foods can wear away your tooth enamel. Sparkling water is far less acidic than orange juice or a soft drink, but it’s more acidic than plain water, Romo said.
That could be an issue if you’re used to frequently reaching for your favorite effervescent water throughout the day.
“If you’re sipping and keeping that acidic drink in your mouth and swishing around every time you sip, and if you do this often, multiple times a day, then that’s probably the most dangerous kind of behavior when it comes to tooth wear,” Ritter noted.
Beware that if you like to add lime or lemon juice to your fizzy water, it makes it even more acidic.
So what’s best to drink from a dental health standpoint?
Plain water, Romo said.
“If you’re going to sip throughout the day, I would say stick with (still) water,” he noted. “Water is the safest way to go.”
To see why, consult a pH scale: the lower the number, the more acidic the substance. Pure water has a pH level of 7. Bottled water — even some of the non-fizzy variety — has a pH level of 5-7; while sodas can be as low as 2, Ritter noted.
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