Americans are the world’s leading consumers of carbonated beverages, drinking in excess of 53 gallons per year. As soda and carbonated beverages gain popularity especially among a much younger audience, there is a growing concern in some quarters that carbonated drinks might also be responsible for the increase in dental decay in those consuming it. But is it the carbonation that’s responsible or the sugars added? And if it’s the carbonation, then does spring water pose as much a threat as pop and other carbonated beverages?
Carbonated beverages are those drinks which have carbon dioxide gas in them. Carbonation takes place when carbon dioxide is dissolved in an aqueous solution such as water, thereby giving the final beverage its "fizz". Carbonation occurs both naturally (as in spring water, sparkling wine, champagne and beer) and artificially (as in pop, artificially treated water and other sodas). The natural process is usually due to the water either absorbing carbon dioxide directly from the ground or during the fermentation process as seen in beer.
Critics of carbonation will say that carbonation in soft drinks can cause calcium loss by irritating the stomach lining. This irritation is reacted to, by the stomach producing antacid which is built from calcium deposits from the blood. The blood, low on calcium, retrieves an additional supply from the bones.
However, the real offender in carbonated drinks is the addition of sugar to sweeten them. Research shows that people who consume three or more sodas per day risk increasing dental decay and tooth loss by 62 percent than those who don’t. When you consider the amount of carbonated beverages America consumes, the figures are staggering!
However, it’s not just the added sugars that cause dental decay; the acid in these drinks wears away at the tooth’s enamel. The pH factor of regular and diet pop ranges from 2.47-3.35. The pH in our mouth is normally around 6.2 to 7.0, slightly more acidic than water. A pH of 5.2 to 5.5 or below will cause the acid to begin dissolving the tooth’s hard enamel. Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash the teeth clean. Ironically, the worst time then to drink pop or carbonated beverages is when you are thirsty, dehydrated and have low levels of saliva!
Tooth erosion can happen due to any of the following reasons:
• Excessive consumption of soft drinks (high in sugars and acids)
• The use of a straw which rests against the tooth
But what of sparkling water? Some sparkling water comes from sources which produce natural carbonation. Carbonated water, also known as sparkling water, fizzy water, seltzer, and water with gas can also be created with plain water into which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved. Soda water can be produced in the home by "charging" a reusable seltzer bottle filled with water and adding carbon dioxide. Bottled water usually includes the addition of ozone as a disinfecting agent or fluoride to prevent dental cavities. The dissolution potential of sparkling water is greater than regular water, but much lower than carbonated drinks.
In conclusion then, one may venture to say that highly sugared and acidic drinks consumed on a frequent basis will lead to tooth decay, but carbonated beverages like soda water may be drunk in moderate amounts without fear of dental repercussions. In the end though, fluorinated water, which has zero fat and calories, is the healthiest means of quenching one’s thirst.
