Is drinking flavored water bad for my teeth?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Flavored water is a sneaky cause of tooth decay.

You may be wondering why, since it’s usually sugar-free and there are no artificial sweeteners. The reason is that it’s most often citrus flavored: lemon, lime, grapefruit, and so forth.

The citric acid in the flavored water eats away at your tooth enamel, which can cause stains, sensitivity, decay, and cavities.  It also makes the water’s PH particularly acidic which is not good for your teeth either.

There are a couple of things you can keep in mind to minimize negative repercussions:

First, if you’re going to drink flavored water, do it in one sitting and with food. That’s better than sipping on it by itself, over a long period of time, which allows it to coat your teeth all day long.

Second, limit the amount you give to children. (Their enamel is not fully developed and so they’re more susceptible to decay.)

As with soda, juice, energy drinks, or anything else; we recommend consuming in moderation, having with food, and brushing your teeth afterwards. Finally, don’t forget to schedule your routine dental cleaning appointment where you will get your teeth cleaned, as well as have a routine exam with the dentist and hygienist.