A new study presented at NUTRITION 2026 found that unsweetened sparkling water caused a smaller and short-lived drop in mouth acidity than sugary soda, suggesting it may be a lower-risk choice for tooth enamel. Learn what the findings mean and how to protect your teeth.
- Unsweetened sparkling water caused a smaller drop in mouth pH than sugar-sweetened soda
- Saliva restored mouth acidity to near normal within 20 minutes after drinking sparkling water
- Researchers say sparkling water may be a better alternative to sugary soda for dental health, but long-term studies are still needed
Sparkling water has become a popular alternative to sugary soft drinks, but many people wonder whether its fizz can damage tooth enamel (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Investigation of mineral waters and soft drinks in relation to dental erosion
).
A new study presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, suggests that unsweetened sparkling water may be a lower-risk choice than sugar-sweetened soda when it comes to oral health.
Researchers found that although sparkling water temporarily lowered the acidity (pH) inside the mouth, the effect was smaller than that seen with sugary soda. In both cases, saliva helped restore the mouth’s pH to near normal levels within about 20 minutes.
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Why Does Mouth pH Matter for Tooth Enamel?
Your tooth enamel is constantly exposed to acids from foods and drinks. When the pH inside the mouth falls below approximately 5.5, acids begin dissolving minerals from the enamel, a process known as dental erosion.
Fortunately, saliva naturally helps neutralise acids and restore a healthier pH.
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Mouth pH and Enamel Health
|
Mouth pH |
What It Means |
|
Above 5.5 |
Enamel is generally protected |
|
Around 5.5 or lower |
Increased risk of enamel erosion |
|
Neutral (~7) |
Healthy oral environment |
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How Did Researchers Compare Sparkling Water and Soda?
The study included 20 healthy adults, each of whom consumed four different beverages on separate occasions:
- Plain water
- Unsweetened sparkling water
- Calcium-fortified sparkling water
- Sugar-sweetened soda
Using the same participants for every beverage allowed researchers to directly compare how each drink affected salivary pH while reducing differences between individuals.
Instead of measuring only the acidity of the beverages themselves, the researchers monitored real-time changes in salivary pH, providing a more practical picture of what happens inside the mouth after drinking these beverages (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Is Sparkling Water Bad for My Teeth?
Sparkling Water vs Soda: Which Affected Mouth pH More?
Among all the beverages tested, sugar-sweetened soda produced the largest decrease in salivary pH.
Key observations included:
|
Beverage |
Effect on Salivary pH |
|
Plain water |
No meaningful change |
|
Unsweetened sparkling water |
Small temporary decrease at 2 minutes |
|
Calcium-fortified sparkling water |
Temporary decrease at 5 minutes |
|
Sugar-sweetened soda |
Largest reduction in mouth pH |
Importantly, salivary pH remained above the level typically associated with enamel damage and returned close to baseline within about 20 minutes after drinking sparkling water.
Is Sparkling Water Better for Your Teeth Than Soda?
Unlike regular soft drinks, unsweetened sparkling water contains no added sugars.
While carbonation makes sparkling water mildly acidic, sugary sodas combine acidity with high sugar content, creating conditions that may increase the risk of tooth decay and enamel erosion over time.
Researchers therefore suggest that replacing sugary soda with unsweetened sparkling water may help reduce the risk of enamel erosion, particularly when consumed in moderation alongside good oral hygiene.
What the Study Suggests
The findings are encouraging but should be interpreted with caution.
|
Findings |
Limitations |
|
Sparkling water caused a smaller drop in mouth pH than sugary soda. |
Only 20 adults participated. |
|
Saliva restored mouth pH within about 20 minutes. |
Researchers measured only short-term pH changes. |
|
Unsweetened sparkling water may be a lower-risk alternative to soda. |
The study did not directly measure enamel loss or cavities. |
|
Sugar content appears to play an important role in oral health. |
The findings were presented at a scientific meeting and have not yet undergone peer review. |
How Can You Protect Your Teeth When Drinking Acidic Beverages?
Whether you choose sparkling water or soda, a few simple habits can help protect your teeth:
- Choose unsweetened sparkling water instead of sugary soft drinks.
- Limit frequent sipping throughout the day.
- Drink water after acidic beverages to help rinse the mouth.
- Wait about 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic drinks.
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Visit your dentist regularly for preventive care.
The Bottom Line
This preliminary study suggests that unsweetened sparkling water may be a better choice for your teeth than sugar-sweetened soda because it causes a smaller and short-lived drop in mouth acidity.
However, sparkling water is not completely acid-free, and the study did not evaluate long-term effects on tooth enamel. Larger, peer-reviewed studies will be needed to determine whether regularly drinking sparkling water affects oral health over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is sparkling water bad for tooth enamel?
A: Unsweetened sparkling water is mildly acidic, but this study found it caused only a temporary drop in mouth pH that remained above the level typically linked to enamel damage.
Q: Is sparkling water better than soda for your teeth?
A: Based on this study, yes. Unsweetened sparkling water lowered mouth acidity less than sugar-sweetened soda and may be a lower-risk option.
Q: Can sparkling water cause cavities?
A: Sparkling water without added sugar is much less likely to contribute to tooth decay than sugary soft drinks. Cavities develop when bacteria feed on sugars and produce acids.
Q: Does carbonation alone damage teeth?
A: Carbonation creates a mildly acidic drink, but carbonation alone appears less harmful than beverages that combine acid with added sugars.
Q: Should I stop drinking sparkling water?
A: Current evidence does not suggest that occasional unsweetened sparkling water poses the same risk as sugary soda. Drinking it in moderation and maintaining good oral hygiene are sensible steps.
References:
- Investigation of mineral waters and soft drinks in relation to dental erosion – (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11556958/)
- Is Sparkling Water Bad for My Teeth? – (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/nutrition/the-truth-about-sparkling-water-and-your-teeth)
Source-Medindia