Sugar-sweetened sodas or carbonated drinks have long been known as the culprit of multiple health conditions, especially dental erosion. New research shows that unsweetened sparkling water can serve as an alternative to carbonated drinks, reducing the burden of dental erosion and other life-threatening health conditions.
What is erosion and how is it caused?
Erosion is the chemical dissolution of the tooth structure caused by the frequent exposure of intrinsic or extrinsic acids. It is a significant oral health problem and has a global prevalence of 30-40% in adults and 30-50% in children.
One of the major causes of dental erosion is the consumption of carbonated drinks, primarily due to their erosive potential. These sweetened sodas contain carbon dioxide and other added sugars, which act on the enamel crystals and cause acid wear; ultimately weakening the tooth structure.
What exactly is soda water and sparkling water?
Sweetened soda contains high amounts of sugar, calories, and artificial additives, whereas plain sparkling water contains only water and carbon dioxide with zero calories or sugar.
Key Differences
Ingredients: Sweetened soda has carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup or sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and artificial colors. Sparkling water has just water and carbon dioxide, sometimes with natural fruit extracts.
Nutrition: Regular soda has roughly 35 to 40 grams of sugar and over 140 calories per can. Plain sparkling water has zero calories, zero sugar, and no caffeine.
Health Effects: Regular soda links to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and tooth enamel damage due to high sugar and acid. Sparkling water offers the same hydration as regular still water without these health risks.
Taste Profile: Soda provides an intense, sweet, and immediate reward sensation. Sparkling water has a clean, subtle, and neutral bubble profile.
What did the researchers do?
It is widely known that carbonated drinks can lower the oral salivary pH below the critical value of 5.5 when consumed frequently. But the question is, how does unsweetened sparkling water affect the oral pH?
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