Sparkling water identified as safer dental alternative to sugary sodas

A study presented at the American Society for Nutrition suggests that unsweetened sparkling water is a significantly safer alternative to sugary sodas for maintaining dental health. Research conducted by Wajiha Zulfiqar from Purdue University involved 20 adults who consumed various beverages, including sugary sodas, plain sparkling water, calcium-enriched sparkling water, and still water.

The study measured changes in salivary pH levels following consumption. Results indicated that sugary sodas caused the most significant drop in pH, creating a highly acidic environment that can erode tooth enamel. While sparkling water caused a temporary decrease in pH, the effect was much less pronounced and returned to normal levels within approximately 20 minutes. Researchers noted that while sparkling water should still be consumed in moderation alongside good oral hygiene, it poses a much lower risk to enamel than sweetened carbonated drinks.