Flavored Water: Is It Healthy for Your Mouth?
In the past thirty years, there has been a huge shift in the type of beverages consumed by the public. A push to first make water taste “better”, followed by efforts to make drinking water more appealing and fun by adding non-caloric flavorings. While no one can dispute the health benefits of staying properly hydrated, there are many differing opinions about whether flavoring your water has any unwanted side effects. Some great research projects have shed some light on the subject of water enhancers and your teeth.
Is Crystal Light Bad for Your Teeth?
Crystal Light, like many water enhancers, is designed to add flavor to water without adding sugar. However, despite the lack of sugar, Crystal Light and similar products often contain acidic ingredients that can affect dental health. The acidity in these drinks, even when not as high as in sodas, can still contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel over time. This erosion can lead to increased sensitivity and vulnerability to cavities.
Comparing Different Types of Flavored Water
- Propel: Marketed as an electrolyte water beverage, Propel does add flavor to water but also contains added electrolytes. The pH levels in Propel are typically lower than regular water, which can contribute to enamel erosion, albeit at a slower rate than more acidic beverages.
- Naturally Flavored Waters: Some brands offer naturally flavored waters without added sugars or artificial ingredients. These options are generally better for dental health, as they are less likely to contain harmful acids.
Water Enhancers DO Cause Damage to Teeth
Dental schools in the United States and Canada conducted studies using different water enhancers on teeth in a laboratory environment. By immersing teeth in solutions of different marketed water enhancers like Crystal Light, Propel, Nestea, Dasani and others they were able to show the effects of erosion. Erosion is the loss of surface tooth structure as a result of chemical effect. The chemicals can come from the inside (like stomach acids in reflux disease), or the outside environment (i.e. foods) like was the purpose of this study on water enhancer additives. This essentially means that findings of the study were "yes, water enhancers like Crystal Light and others all caused significant erosion to teeth."
Now, I hear your anger. You're saying to yourself: “I switched away from soda to a water enhancer. Now you tell me that’s bad for my teeth too? It’s not even carbonated and less acidic. How can that be?” Great question! And a warning to the non-science nerds, this is where it gets a little wonky. Scientist-type persons use pH to quantify the Acidity of a substance, but that is not the only factor in how destructive a food is to your teeth. Buffering is when a substance is converted to a neutral (not acidic or basic) pH. Distilled Water has a neutral pH for example. So this is the take home: While water enhancers are less acidic, their ingredients take a long time to buffer, thus keeping them acidic for a longer period of time and letting them erode more tooth structure. Too much of a good thing ends up being bad!
Contact Atlantis Dental Care
While staying hydrated is crucial for overall health, it's important to be mindful of the type of flavored water you choose and its potential impact on your dental health. If you have concerns about how your favorite water enhancer might be affecting your teeth, it's best to consult with a dental professional. At Atlantis Dental Care, Dr. Cantwell and our team are dedicated to helping you maintain optimal dental health while enjoying the beverages you love. Contact our office in Boise, ID for a consultation and let us guide you towards making the best choices for your oral health. Dr. Cantwell, with 15 years of experience, is always ready to welcome new patients and address your dental needs.
Dr. David L. Cantwell, DDS
Dr. Cantwell graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. After dental school, he completed an advanced dental residency in oral, periodontal, and endodontic surgery.
