Do Flavored Waters Ruin Teeth?

Flavored sparkling waters have seen an increase in sales over the past few years due in part to the perception that these beverages are healthy alternatives to soda. While flavored waters are not nearly as bad for you as soda, they also are not a safe full-time replacement for your daily required intake of normal H₂O.

There are two distinct properties that make flavored waters less safe than regular water and both contribute to the acidity of the beverage and the effect that has on tooth enamel and the overall strength of your teeth. Most flavors are derived from fruit acids and the higher the acid levels in your drink, the more it can accelerate tooth decay by eroding the protective covering of your teeth.

The carbonation of some flavored waters also adds to the elevated acidities by introducing carbon dioxide to the beverage which causes a chemical reaction when consumed that creates carbonic acid. The higher the acidity of a beverage the lower the pH level and anything with a pH at or lower than 4 can cause damage to tooth enamel over time. Normal water typically has a pH between 6 and 8 while flavored waters can be as low as 2.7, which is not much higher than your typical cola. Flavored waters are not as detrimental to your overall health as soda but they clearly carry the potential to be damaging to your teeth.

As with any food or drink indulgences, moderation is crucial when consuming flavored waters, in order to protect your teeth, and be sure to continue to drink appropriate amounts of normal water each day to maintain your overall health.

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