A cold glass of sparkling water has become the drink of choice for millions of people looking to cut back on sugary soft drinks. Yet one question refuses to go away: could those bubbles be quietly damaging your teeth?
New findings presented by researchers from Purdue University at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, suggest the answer is more reassuring than many people might expect.
The preliminary study, also reported by ScienceDaily, found that unsweetened sparkling water appears to have a much smaller impact on the mouth than sugar-sweetened soda.
Looking beyond the bubbles
To investigate, researchers recruited 20 adults who each drank four different beverages during the study: plain water, unsweetened sparkling water, calcium-fortified sparkling water and sugary soda.
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Rather than measuring only the acidity of each drink, the team monitored participants' saliva after drinking. This approach allowed them to see how the mouth naturally responds and how quickly it restores a healthy balance.
One drink stood out
The results showed a clear difference between sparkling water and soda. Sugary soft drinks produced the largest and longest-lasting drop in oral pH, creating a more acidic environment.
Sparkling water also caused a temporary increase in acidity, but saliva quickly returned the mouth to near-normal conditions.
Throughout the experiment, acidity remained above the level generally associated with enamel erosion.
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The researchers also noted that everyday habits matter. How often acidic drinks are consumed, how long they stay in contact with teeth and overall oral hygiene all play an important role in long-term dental health.
A better alternative?
While the findings are still considered preliminary because the research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, they suggest that unsweetened sparkling water could be a smarter alternative for people trying to reduce their sugar intake without exposing their teeth to the same level of risk as regular soda.
The research team now plans to investigate whether frequent sparkling water consumption has any long-term effects on teeth and gums, helping provide a clearer picture of its role in everyday oral health.
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