Scientists have tested the effect of carbonated water on teeth

Carbonated water is often perceived as a healthy alternative to sugary soda: it does not contain sugar, but retains the familiar taste and feeling of an effervescent drink. However, many fear that carbon dioxide can damage tooth enamel. A new study published in the journal Medical Xpress has shown that although water with gas does temporarily change the acidity in the mouth, its effect was significantly milder than that of regular sugary soda. About why the choice of a drink can affect dental health and how safe carbonated water is — in the Izvestia article.

Carbonated water versus sugary soda: what the study showed

Sugary carbonated drinks have long been associated with the risk of damage to tooth enamel. The reason lies not only in sugar, but also in acidity: when the pH level — the hydrogen index that determines the degree of acidity or alkalinity of aqueous solutions — drops below about 5.5 in the mouth, the process of dissolution of the enamel begins.

Less is known about the effect of regular sparkling water on teeth. To find out how different drinks change the condition of the oral cavity, the researchers compared several options: sugary soda, regular sparkling water, carbonated water with added calcium and regular water.

The study involved 20 adults. The scientists used the same participants for all the drink options to reduce the impact of individual body characteristics. According to scientists, this approach allowed not only to compare the acidity of the drinks themselves, but to assess exactly how the human body reacts to them.

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Why does sweet soda have a stronger effect on enamel

The results showed that it was the sweet soda that lowered the pH level in the mouth the most. After 2 and 20 minutes after consumption, the acidity index was significantly lower than after regular water.

Carbonated water also temporarily changed the acidity in the oral cavity, but the effect was less pronounced. In the case of ordinary water with gas, a decrease in pH was observed approximately 2 minutes after consumption, and in the case of the calcium variant — after 5 minutes. At the same time, after 20 minutes, the indicators returned approximately to the initial level.

Scientists note that saliva plays an important protective role: it helps to quickly restore the acid-base balance in the mouth and keep the pH level above the value at which damage to the enamel begins.

However, the researchers emphasize that short-term changes in acidity do not mean that any carbonated drink is completely safe. The risk depends on how often a person consumes such drinks, how long they are in contact with their teeth, and whether they contain sugar.

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Can carbonated water be considered safe for teeth?

The authors of the study believe that unsweetened carbonated water may be a safer choice compared to regular sugary soda, especially if you consume it in moderation and follow the rules of oral care. However, scientists are not yet making definitive conclusions about the long-term effects of such drinks. In the future, they plan to study how regular consumption of carbonated water can change other processes in the oral cavity.

The researchers are also paying attention to the possibility of further improving the composition of drinks. In their opinion, the results of the work can help manufacturers develop options that will have less impact on tooth enamel.

Thus, carbonated water is not a complete substitute for regular water in terms of dental care, but research shows that when choosing between it and sugary soda, the first option may be less risky.