Is mineral water good for your teeth?

Mineral water, the fancy cousin of regular H2O, is often touted as a healthier option than tap water. But is it really good for your teeth? We did some digging (not literally), and here’s what we found out.

What Exactly is Mineral Water?

First things first – let’s define what mineral water actually is. Essentially, it’s just water that contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals are naturally occurring and can be found in rocks and soil. When rainwater seeps through these materials and collects in underground reservoirs or springs, it takes on some of these minerals along the way (as if you didn’t already know).

There are two types of mineral water: sparkling and still. The former contains carbon dioxide gas under pressure which gives it its characteristic fizziness (or bubble-bubble-tasting-this-water-is-double). The latter does not contain any carbonation.

Is It Better Than Tap Water?

One argument in favor of mineral water over tap water is that the former typically contains higher levels of beneficial minerals like calcium compared to the latter (take that, tap!). However, tap water also contains fluoride which has been proven to help prevent tooth decay (tap strikes back!).

On top of that, drinking bottled mineral water rather than fresh from the spring variety means plastic waste accumulates at an alarming rate! So unless you’re lucky enough to have access to a pristine mountain stream with your only company being fish then perhaps opting for filtered tap may be better yet- especially since many public utilities add flouride into their systems fairly frequently without charging a premium for removing impurities!

The truth is there isn’t necessarily one definitive answer when it comes to choosing between mineral or tap waters but given how much ownership I feel towards each comment I’ve made thus far- would say dilute a bottle you buy/ fill up with tap for the best of both worlds!

How Does Mineral Water Affect Your Teeth?

So, let’s get to our main question – is mineral water good for your teeth? The answer (drumroll please) is… it depends.

As mentioned earlier, mineral water can contain beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium that support strong teeth. However, if you’re drinking sparkling mineral water, its acidity levels could actually be harmful to tooth enamel over time (gasp!). This means consistent consumption of fizzy aqua may not exactly be so “make-you-smile worthy” in the long run 😕.

But before you pour all your Perrier down the drain, it’s worth noting that most dentists still consider sparkling mineral water less harmful than soda when consumed in moderation (phew!).

Basically don’t go overboard- to avoid eroding those pearly whites!

So What Should You Do?

The general advice from dental professionals regarding what kind of fluid intake benefits optimal oral health goes a little something like this:

  • Drink plenty of plain H2O (both tap and ideally filtered); we already know fluoride helps fight cavities.

  • Avoid sugary drinks like soda as much as possible; one study found consuming high amounts promotes plaque buildup on teeth!

    Bonus Fact: One liter of Coca-Cola contains more sugar than daily recommended amount by World Health Organization!(Trouble with a capital T rhymes with C which stands for cavity)

This doesn’t mean cutting out every flavored beverage under roof completely though! Just remember everything should be indulged in moderation.

Final Thoughts

What all these conflicting opinions really highlight are two things: 1) when comes ensuring proper dental hygiene behaviors such as regular brushing/flossing come first above all else – they’re better choices over even guzzling fluoride rich water or occasional sparkling mineral pick me up. 2) moderation is key.

Bottom line: if you enjoy the fizzy taste of mineral water, go ahead and enjoy it in moderation (not with your turkey dinner though unless brushing directly after) – but popping bottles 24/7 could leave teeth feeling a little flat!

Next time someone asks you whether mineral water is good for teeth don’t be shy to respond “depends on how much sparkle that’s in question pal!”

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