Is Your Standard Bottled Water Causing Cavities?

Here at Riverside Dental, we do everything we can to make your smile perfect. But we need you to do your part at home! One thing to think about is the water you drink every day, bottled or tap. Many of us drink bottled water for convenience reasons. In 2015 alone, more than 11.7 billions gallons of bottled water was consumed according to BottledWater.org. The site also reports that soda consumption is down — which is good news for your teeth. But is bottled water totally safe for your smile?

When it comes to bottled water, one thing to think about is pH level. Need a refresher on the pH scale? A pH level of 0 is completely acidic while a ph level of 14 is completely alkaline, and level 7 is neutral. You want your pH level right at 7 for optimal health and a beautiful smile. Many bottled waters are acidic. pH test strips reveal the acidity levels in many popular water bottle brands. The worst? Vitaminwater was found to have a pH of 3.4, the same level as a stomach acid and lemon juice according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Dasani is not much better either!

Consuming acidic water frequently can contribute to dental erosion and decay. And because we know the mouth-body connection is strong, if it is doing negative things to your smile, it is likely doing negative things to your entire body.

Plus, most bottled water doesn’t contain fluoride, and some suggest that an increase in dental decay can be linked to more bottled water and less fluoridated tap water.

If for some reason you do have to drink bottled water, you could consider grabbing a straw to drink it with. The BBC reports that the longer an acidic beverage stays in your mouth the more the pH level can affect your teeth. Drinking your water through a straw can minimize contact.

Better yet, stick to tap or natural spring water.

Aside from the dental benefits, there are several other reasons to ditch the bottled. According to Reader’s Digest, bottled waters are often glorified tap water. They might have a fancy island or mountain in the title, but they often come from the local city water supply that runs directly into your sink — which means you are paying a lot for nothing.