Sad News About Soda Water

With February nearly halfway over Norfolk, VA dental implant provider Dr. Adam Foleck along with the rest of his staff at The Foleck Center for Cosmetic, Implant and Restorative Dentistry think this new year is off to a great start. In fact, we are all really pleased to see how many of our patients are still trying to maintain many of the health-related new year’s resolutions they made on the eve of January 1^st.

What’s even more pleasing to us is the fact that many of the new year’s resolutions we have heard from our patients are centered around them taking steps to consume less sugar to improve various aspects of their personal health. Seeing as we are a dentistry office first and foremost, this is music to our ears.

Or… at least, it was until we started hearing how a large majority of our patients are cutting out the sugar. It seems that the consumption of soda pop is more popular among our clientele than we had ever thought.  Almost eighty percent of our patients cited cutting out soda from their daily diet is the main way they are slashing sugar intake. That same percent of people have taken to drinking soda water, or flavored seltzer water, as a way to slake the craving for a carbonated beverage. Now, seltzer water and sugar-free, flavored soda water is a great beverage to have occasionally but, like many other consumable items, can cause a few problems when drunk too often. Due to this fact, we have decided to write an article explaining why you should save the fizzy water for meal time and try to get yourself used to drinking regular water during the day.

Sugar-Free Does Not Always Mean Carefree

While it’s true that the majority of flavored soda water on the market is both sugar-free and calorie-free, this does not mean it’s cleared for mega consumption. Unfortunately, this seems to be a misconception that not only our patients but many other people across the world are under.

Soda water is known for its trademark fizzy nature. This is a characteristic that keeps many people coming back for more as a carbonated drink seems to quench thirst in a way no other beverage can. However, despite the fact that soda water is sugar-free, it can still do damage to your teeth. This is due to the main ingredients that give this bubbly water its bubbles – carbonic acid.

Studies have shown that repeated and prolonged exposure of tooth enamel to carbonic acid can actually wear it down. As we all know, your enamel is the substance protected your teeth from succumbing to bacteria-induced decay. Tooth enamel also does not regenerate. Once it’s gone… it’s gone. That being said, it’s important you take steps to protect that precious enamel. Steering clear of consuming too many carbonated beverages is just as important as steering clear of too many sugary drinks as well.

We know it may take some getting used to, but if you can, your best option is saving those fizzy drinks, sugary or not, for meal time. In the time between, try sticking to regular water. It’s better for you across the board this way.

Until next time readers, keep smiling.