Spirit Dental Resources

If you’re the type of person who is all about doing things naturally, you have likely come across something known as oil pulling. What is oil pulling, and how can it affect your dental health? Should you give it a try, or are you better off sticking with basic brushing and flossing to maintain clean, strong teeth and gums? Oil Pulling: The Claims and How to Do It Oil pulling isn’t a new technique; it actually dates back thousands of years and is part of Ayurvedic medicine. Those who support the method claim that it can be used to cleanse the mouth and whiten teeth. And the best part is that you can do it all at home, on your own time. All you have to do is take a tablespoon of oil, such as sunflower oil, olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil, and swish it around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. When you’re done, spit the oil out, making sure to not swallow any. Does It Really Work? Information regarding the effectiveness of oil pulling is mixed. According to WebMD,1 there are some studies showing that oil pulling can help provide protection against plaque and gingivitis, as well as bad breath. Some experts recommend sticking with coconut oil if you are going to give oil pulling a try, as it contains antimicrobial lauric acid, and a study showed that it might even help reduce the risk of tooth decay. However, if you aren’t a fan of coconut oil for any reason, you can still use sunflower oil or sesame oil to get the antibacterial benefits that they provide. Also, according to CNN,2 a couple of studies found that oil pulling using sesame oil helped reduce gingivitis, plaque, and Streptococcus mutans, which is a bacterium that is associated with tooth decay. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? There is skepticism, however, surrounding the effects of oil pulling. According to Nature Research,3 for example, a lot of the studies on oil pulling aren’t all that reliable, thanks to improper design. Longer studies and larger trials are necessary to determine if oil pulling really works. Even the American Dental Association4 (ADA) isn’t convinced, stating that there isn’t enough reliable evidence to prove that swishing oil around in your mouth can help brighten your smile or make your teeth and gums stronger. When it comes to dental hygiene practices, the ADA doesn’t recommend this technique.   Bottom line: the jury’s still out on whether or not oil pulling is worth your time. Want to Try It? Here Are Some Tips for Beginners Let’s say that you want to try oil pulling for the first time. After all, what harm could it do, right? Well, it’s totally fine to give it a go, but just be sure to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would (brush twice a day and floss at least once a day). Adding oil pulling to your oral hygiene routine as a little something extra that you’re doing to maintain your health is okay. Just don’t go substituting brushing and flossing with oil pulling—that would not be wise. And be sure to continue seeing your dentist for those all-important checkups and cleanings! Also, it can be really tough to swish oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes, so you can start by swishing for just one minute, or perhaps even five minutes. You can work your way up to 10 or 20 minutes gradually. And, when swishing the oil in your mouth, be gentle, making sure the oil is moving in between your teeth and along your gums. You don’t want your jaw to start hurting. Ouch! Overall, oil pulling is pretty easy, and just about anyone can do it. Plus, there is some evidence that shows it may benefit oral health. But even though it might be a good way to enhance your oral care strategy, you shouldn’t think of it as a miracle cure. Nothing beats a consistent brushing and flossing routine, along with regular trips to the dentist, when it comes to keeping your smile bright.   Sources: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oil-pulling https://www.cnn.com/2014/08/06/health/oil-pulling/ https://idp.nature.com/authorize?response_type=cookie&client_id=grover&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fsj.bdj.2018.281 https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oil-pulling https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-oral-care/coconut-oil-pulling-dangers

If you’ve ever experienced a toothache, which is pain that’s felt around or in your tooth, you aren’t alone. This is a common problem, but a lot of people aren’t sure about what causes a toothache and what can be done to get rid of the pain. That’s why we’ve compiled some helpful information about the symptoms of a toothache, along with tips on what you can do to feel relief. Let’s Start with What Causes a Toothache, Shall We? Before we dive into toothache symptoms and some of the main remedies for toothaches, let’s briefly go over what causes them. After all, by knowing the cause, you can immediately begin taking steps to prevent this pain before it arises. If your toothache is the result of a dental problem, it might be caused by decay (think: cavities or an infection deeper in the tooth). Or your might feel pain associated with damage (such as a broken filling, implant, or crown, or a chipped tooth). And yet another cause might be gum disease. On the other hand, your toothache might not actually have very much to do with your teeth and gums at all. For example, the source of the discomfort might be a sinus or viral infection, or a cluster headache. Finally, if you have malocclusion,TMJ,bruxism, or impacted wisdom teeth, you might end up experiencing a toothache. But the discomfort will be more obvious in the gums or jaw. For this reason, it’s smart to try to pinpoint where the pain is coming from, and if you’re having difficulty, consider talking to your dentist for help.   What Does a Toothache Feel Like? Toothaches can be described in a few different ways. For some people, the pain will be sharp, while for others, it will feel more like a throbbing pain. Also, the ache might come and go, or it might be constant. And you may notice that your tooth hurts when you’re eating, whenever pressure is applied to it, or when it’s exposed to something that’s sweet, hot, or cold. No matter what, it’s definitely unpleasant! Other symptoms that might show up when you have a toothache include: Headache Fever Swollen gums Discharge or bleeding in the area of the tooth A foul taste in your mouth Bad breath The toothache may become worse over time, or it might start to last for longer stretches of time. You might even realize that the pain radiates from the area of the tooth to the jaw, ear, or cheek. Ouch!   Tip: Keeping track of your toothache symptoms is certainly wise. Try to pinpoint when the pain occurs, how long it lasts, and what the triggers are. Your dentist will be able to use this information to figure out what’s causing your toothache and to prescribe the best treatment to fix the problem. What Can You Do to Get Rid of That Annoying Pain in the Mouth? So, here’s the thing: if you have a toothache that isn’t going away after a couple of days, it’s time to see your dentist. And if the pain is intense, you have pain in other areas, such as your ears, or you have a fever, it’s super important that you see your dentist right away for a thorough exam and x-rays to diagnose the cause of your discomfort. Trust us, you don’t want this to go unchecked, because if there is an infection causing the pain, failing to treat it may allow it to spread to other parts of your body. Yikes! What can a dentist do for you when you have a toothache? Well, as you likely guessed, it depends on the cause. If the pain is the result of a cavity, your dentist can clear away the decay and place a filling to make sure your tooth is as good as new. If the tooth is broken, or if an existing filling or crown is damaged, your dentist can fix those issues as well. If the dental damage is too far gone, a root canal or extraction might be in order. If the source of your tooth pain is gum disease, scaling and planing may be required to clean the gums and help them heal. If there’s an infection present, your dentist might recommend antibiotics, in addition to appropriate dental treatments. If the pain is a symptom of malocclusion, bruxism, or TMJ, your dentist will discuss treatment options with you. Can You Relieve a Toothache at Home? You Sure Can Try! There are some things that you can do at home to help reduce the pain associated with a toothache. It is best, though, to see your dentist, so consider using these strategies only to give yourself some temporary relief. Typically, hot and cold foods and beverages could make a toothache worse, so avoid those if they trigger your pain. Soak a cotton ball with a bit of clove oil and gently apply it to the affected area. As an alternative, you can use your fingers to rub the oil onto the achy tooth or gums. This oil might help numb your toothache temporarily. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. It’s easy to make the right mix: just add about a ½ teaspoon of salt to an 8-ounce glass of water. Don’t swallow! Grab an ice pack and hold it against your cheek over the area of the toothache, especially if you’re experiencing swelling along with the pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen might be just what you need to get relief rather quickly. Plus, there are also pain-relieving liquids and gels that you can purchase (look for the numbing ingredient, benzocaine). Regardless of what product you choose, follow directions carefully. Remember: A Toothache Signals a Trip to the Dentist Is in Your Future Because a toothache could be a sign of a potentially serious underlying issue that might not be immediately obvious to you, seeing your dentist is always recommended when you experience this pain. It might just be that you have sensitive teeth, and your dentist will be able to give you tips on how to relieve that sensitivity. Or, you might have an infection in your tooth that should be treated promptly. By visiting your dentist regularly with the help of a reliable dental insurance plan, you can take an important step towards finding problems while they’re still in their minor stages, when they’ll be easier to treat. Plus, every trip to the dentist is an opportunity to discuss symptoms (like toothaches) and ask questions. And let’s not forget that regular dental cleanings are also helpful when it comes to maintaining clean gums and pain-free chompers. So many reasons to schedule those dental appointments! Sure, a toothache can be a literal pain, but it doesn’t have to last. Home remedies can help until you get to your dentist, when you’ll be able to receive whatever treatment is necessary to kick that pain for good. Sources: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/toothaches https://crest.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/toothache/tooth-pain-causes-remedies-relief-stop-tooth-pain https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/toothache#1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10957-toothache https://www.orajel.com/en/Resource-Center/Toothache-Pain-Relief/Symptoms-and-Causes-of-Toothaches https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/home-remedies-toothache

Updated Jan. 2023 Dental health is an important part of overall health and poor dental health can lead to issues with other parts of the body, including the heart and the ears. Can bad teeth affect your ears? It’s true; taking care of your chompers may also help you maintain your hearing! In this article, we will look at the various ways dental health and hearing are connected. Can bad teeth cause ear problems?  Yes, there are a number of ways that problems with your teeth can also lead to issues with your hearing. Let's take a look at four common ways bad teeth can cause ear problems. 1. Tooth infections caused by bacteria Can a tooth infection affect your ears? The easy answer is yes. The nasty bacteria that thrive in your mouth and wreak havoc there also have the potential to get into your bloodstream. Once there, the bacteria are capable of traveling to other parts of your body, causing further damage. Scary, right? When you aren’t keeping the bacteria in your mouth in check with a consistent at-home oral hygiene routine and regular trips to the dentist, you’re increasing the odds that the bacteria will travel into the blood, leading to inflammation. Your blood vessels and arteries might end up becoming narrower than they should be, and that may, in turn, adversely affect your hearing. But the worst part is that, if hearing loss does occur, it might be permanent! Wait, how do blood vessels play a role in your ability to hear? Well, the hair cells in the ear could become damaged, or even die, when blood vessels become narrow because the cells will no longer receive enough blood. Beyond that, however, bacteria that originated in the mouth might also cause inflammation within blood vessels in your brain, and that may end up reducing blood flow to the area of your brain that receives information through the auditory nerve, thereby impacting your ability to hear clearly. Who knew? Pro tip: The simple act of brushing and flossing daily is an important step in keeping harmful bacteria in your mouth in check. Cleaning your teeth and gums could help reduce the odds of infection and gum disease, as well as the growth of bacteria associated with these oral health problems. The less bacteria in your mouth, the less likely it’ll be that they’ll get into your bloodstream. Keep that blood flowing strong to your ears and brain! 2. TMJ TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint disorder (it’s also referred to as TMD). This is a painful condition that should be treated. Basically, the temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. When it becomes inflamed, talking and chewing may hurt, but TMJ might even cause hearing problems. For example, you might notice that your ears seem clogged or that your hearing is muffled. How annoying! Or you might notice that you’ve developed tinnitus (a.k.a. ringing in the ears).  How is this possible? Well, there seems to be a connection between this joint and the middle ear. Experts believe that if the joint’s disc shifts out of alignment, the nerves and Eustachian tube may feel more pressure than they should, and the Eustachian tube may become clogged as a result. Beyond that, TMJ might also lead to inflammation that blocks the Eustachian tube, causing hearing problems. Good news, though: if you work with your dentist to resolve the TMJ, you might also regain the hearing that was lost. So, if you have symptoms of TMJ, don’t hesitate to see a pro to get relief ASAP.  3. Impacted wisdom teeth Can wisdom teeth cause muffled hearing? What about wisdom teeth and ear pain? Well, it’s pretty simple: if your wisdom teeth are impacted, you might be at a greater risk of them becoming infected. And, when an infection develops, inflammation can follow, along with problems hearing clearly. As with TMJ, getting your infected wisdom teeth taken care of may help you regain any hearing that you lose as a result of inflammation. Your dentist can easily take x-rays to check the status of your wisdom teeth. If they are impacted or infected, an extraction might be necessary. 4. Tooth extraction Many people report having muffled hearing after a tooth extraction. The reason for this is the extraction process can cause some inflammation in the area, which can cause ear pain or temporarily cause muffled hearing. The hearing loss will fade after the inflammation subsides. Maintaining your dental health and hearing starts with you! If you’re like most people, learning about the connection between tooth decay and hearing loss might be surprising. But, now that you know about it, you can take action to help prevent it. It all begins at home with your daily oral hygiene routine. The simple act of brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash to kill even more harmful bacteria can make a big difference in keeping those gums and pearly whites clean and strong. Stick to this routine and your dentist is sure to be impressed when he or she checks your teeth at your next appointment! Professional dental care is also necessary Speaking of appointments with your dentist, it’s a great idea to book them at least once or twice a year, or more often if your dentist recommends it. Professional cleanings are also an integral component of keeping bacteria levels in your mouth to a minimum. Hygienists can provide a deeper clean than you can get at home, and they know how to get rid of any plaque and tartar that you missed. Worried about being able to afford regular dental checkups and cleanings? Have no fear! With the right dental insurance from Spirit, like a dental cleaning service insurance plan that will cover everything from three cleanings per year to major services dental insurance, you won’t have to break the bank to maintain your oral health. Saving money on dental care costs has never been so simple! And we offer dental insurance with no waiting period, so as soon as you get approved, you're covered! Get a quote from Spirit Dental & Vision today.    Sources: https://www.healthyhearing.com/ https://askthedentist.com/oral-health-and-hearing-loss/ https://hearillinois.com/hearing-health-blog/the-dental-health-and-hearing-loss-connection https://www.soundrelief.com/the-link-between-oral-health-and-hearing-loss/ https://usa.bestsoundtechnology.com/blog/protect-hearing-healthy-mouth/ https://www.verywellhealth.com/temporomandibular-joint-disorder-1046500

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with this disorder, it means that the contents of your stomach end up moving back up your esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn’t close like it should.In addition to causing uncomfortable heartburn—those stomach contents include acidic juices that should remain in your digestive tract—GERD can get pretty gross if you actually taste the stomach fluid when it reaches the mouth. Plus, over time, this condition could lead to other problems, such as esophageal cancer or ulcers. Yikes! For this article, though, we’ll focus on the oral health issues that may be the result of gastroesophageal reflux disease.GERD Can Wreak Havoc in Your Mouth!Dental erosion is one of the oral health problems that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Basically, the acidic stomach contents make their way into the mouth and cause the enamel of the teeth to break down and dissolve.The scary part is that the enamel that ends up eroding can’t be brought back naturally. In other words, this damage is irreversible. And because enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your teeth, provides protection, losing it could make your chompers increasingly vulnerable to things like cavities and sensitivity.What’s worse: GERD can even do damage when you’re asleep! You won’t realize it while you’re in dreamland, but those gastric acids could invade your mouth, basically covering your molars and eating away at them. The fact that you don’t produce as much saliva and you don’t swallow as much while you sleep only makes the situation even more destructive.Here Are Some Ways to Protect Your Pearly WhitesIf you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, there are some things that you can do to protect your teeth, as well as reduce your symptoms overall:When you’re experiencing reflux, it isn’t a good idea to brush your teeth right away, as doing so may cause even more damage to your enamel. Instead, you can help reduce and neutralize acid in the mouth by chewing on some sugar-free gum to stimulate the production of saliva. You can even rinse your mouth with some pure water or a mix of baking soda and water. And, when you brush and rinse your mouth, using products that contain fluoride might be beneficial as well.  Change your eating habits by having smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. For example, you might have five small meals, rather than three large meals. Also, avoid eating at least two to three hours before bedtime.Speaking of bedtime, you could even try elevating your head and chest above your stomach while you rest so that gravity can help keep the stomach acid down.Keep track of what foods and drinks trigger your GERD symptoms. Some of the usual culprits include tomato products, garlic, onions, spicy food, chocolate, citrus fruit and juice, fatty foods, peppermint, and fried foods. Carbonated beverages, coffee, tea, and alcohol can also be triggers.Make healthy lifestyle changes. Losing some weight if you’re overweight or obese might make a difference by relieving pressure on the stomach. And did you know that smoking could trigger symptoms? Another reason to quit!Certain prescription medications might cause GERD as a side effect, so it’s a great idea to talk to your doctor. And when it comes to over-the-counter meds, consider sticking with acetaminophen, as other products, such as naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen may make your symptoms worse.Your Dentist Might Notice GERD Symptoms Before You Do!Some people don’t even know that they’re experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease until they head to the dentist to have their mouth examined. A dental pro can identify signs of enamel erosion and talk to you about GERD, including what steps you can take to prevent further damage. Plus, your dentist might be able to provide treatments that may help protect your teeth, such as tooth bonding, veneers, or a crown.  Pro tip:with an affordable dental insurance plan, you never have to worry about missing an important appointment with your dentist!In addition to working with your dentist to keep your whole mouth clean and healthy, you can also talk to your doctor about what you could do to treat GERD and stop symptoms before they can cause harm.Sure, gastroesophageal reflux disease can be damaging, but there’s hope. Changing your lifestyle and eating habits, talking to your physician about treatment options, and working with your dentist to protect your smile can help you regain control. Sources:https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/reflux-disease-gerd-1#1https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/understanding-gerd-prevention#1https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration#1https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile.html22,Delta137https://www.binondentalimplants.com/blog/gerdhttps://www.ada.org/enhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321175

Wisdom tooth removal: it’s surprisingly common, yet it does make people super nervous. So we’ve compiled a short guide to what you can expect when you need to have one or more of your wisdom teeth extracted.    When Is It Necessary to Remove a Wisdom Tooth? Your wisdom teeth are also referred to as your third molars, and they’re the very last teeth that will erupt, all the way in the back of your mouth. For many people, these chompers will grow in just fine, but others will end up with wisdom teeth that didn’t erupt like they should’ve. When wisdom teeth don’t grow in right, they’re called impacted. This means that a tooth has grown in at an angle, either towards the second molar or towards the back of the mouth. It could also mean that, even though the wisdom tooth is straight, it’s trapped in the jawbone. Or it could even mean that the wisdom tooth has grown in sideways (horizontally) within the jawbone. How can you know if one or more of your four wisdom teeth are impacted? Well, your dentist will notice it on an X-ray if you don’t have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might experience pain, or you may find that food gets trapped easily around a wisdom tooth. There might also be decay, gum disease, or an infection, and the impacted tooth might be causing damage to surrounding teeth and bone. Even more frightening: cysts might develop around a wisdom tooth that’s impacted! Because these chompers are located in the back of the mouth, they can be difficult to keep clean, even when they grow in normally. Therefore, removal might be necessary if your dentist realizes that a tooth has become too damaged as a result of your inability to get back there when you brush and floss. When it comes to wisdom teeth that aren’t causing problems, even when they’re impacted, there’s a bit of debate in the world of dental care. Some experts will tell you that extraction won’t be necessary, while others will still recommend removing the teeth to help prevent potential future problems, such as infection. Also, removing wisdom teeth while you’re younger may reduce the risk of complications. This is why getting multiple opinions could help you decide if you need to remove your wisdom teeth when they’re asymptomatic. Fun fact: Did you know that some individuals won’t ever develop wisdom teeth? They won’t have to worry about impactions! What Should You Expect Before Wisdom Tooth Extraction? Your dentist or an oral surgeon can perform wisdom tooth extraction, and you’ll have an opportunity to talk to your dentist at an appointment before your procedure. Take this time to discuss health problems you’ve been diagnosed with, as well as medications that you’re taking. During this appointment, you’ll receive important instructions regarding how to prep for the extraction, but don’t be embarrassed to ask loads of questions as well. For example, you can ask about what you can expect during and after the extraction, what type of anesthesia will be best for you, what the risk of complications is, and what you’ll need to do to ensure a speedy recovery. Note: You’re more likely to have to see an oral surgeon if your wisdom tooth is severely impacted and will require a more surgical approach. What’s the Procedure Like? Depending on how difficult your wisdom teeth will be to remove, your dentist will choose the appropriate anesthesia so the procedure can be a pain-free experience. A local anesthetic can be used to completely numb the mouth, just as your dentist would do when you’re getting a cavity filled. Sedation might also be used to help you feel more at ease. For example, laughing gas might be recommended if you need something to help you relax. And IV sedation can help you feel drowsy, or even fall asleep. General anesthesia is an option when it’s best for you to be totally asleep throughout the surgical extraction.   During the actual procedure, the oral surgeon may need to make an incision in your gums, remove any bone that’s preventing access to the roots of the wisdom tooth, and divide the tooth in order to extract it in pieces. Then, the site of the extraction will be cleaned, and you’ll get stitches to close the wound, if necessary. Finally, a piece of gauze will be set in place to encourage the formation of a blood clot and control any bleeding. This sounds pretty intense, we know, but not all wisdom tooth extractions will be the same. It depends on how badly impacted your tooth is. What’s the Recovery Like? Once the procedure is over, you’re sure to feel a huge sense of relief. But now it’s time to recover. Your dentist will give you instructions on what you should do to help your body heal. For example: You can reduce swelling with an ice pack, as well as reduce soreness in the jaw with some moist heat. You’ll likely need to drink plenty of fluids and eat only soft foods. In terms of brushing your teeth, it’s best to use a bit of caution. You might be told to wait until the second day to brush, and to avoid brushing against blood clots. Also, rinsing your mouth might not be recommended for the first 24 hours either. To tackle any pain that you may experience, your dentist can prescribe the appropriate medications. Generally, discomfort and swelling can last a few days, and it could take weeks for your mouth to totally heal. However, if your condition isn’t improving, or it’s getting worse, be sure to call your dentist right away. What About Complications? Can They Happen? Long-term complications don’t often occur after the removal of wisdom teeth. When complications do happen, however, they may include damage to the jawbone, nerves, sinuses, or nearby teeth, as well as infection within the socket where the tooth used to be. Dry socket, which is painful, might also occur. Wisdom Tooth Removal: Not as Frightening as You Might Think Sure, any dental procedure can be scary, but with an experienced dental expert performing a wisdom tooth extraction, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands and that everything will be just fine. Remember, a lot of people have their wisdom teeth removed, so you aren’t alone, and this is a procedure that’s done on many patients every single day. Plus, if your wisdom teeth are causing you loads of problems, you’ll feel so much better when they’re out of your mouth! One final note: Having your wisdom teeth removed is daunting enough without having to worry about how you’re going to pay for it. That’s why the right dental insurance can come in super handy, so consider signing up for a plan that will help you cover the costs of extractions. That way, you can focus more on prep and recovery, and less on payment, when a wisdom tooth needs to come out.  Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction/about/pac-20395268   https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/wisdom-teeth-adult#1 https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/wisdom-teeth/smoking-after-wisdom-teeth-extraction https://www.self.com/story/wisdom-teeth-removal-facts

When you aren’t in the mood for plain water, sparkling water might seem like the next best choice. After all, it isn’t sugary soda or juice, right? But it turns out that this water might affect your teeth in negative ways. How can this be possible? We explain it all below. It Starts with Carbon Dioxide If you’ve ever wondered where sparkling water gets its bubbles from, the answer is carbon dioxide. That’s why this beverage is also referred to as carbonated water. Once in your mouth, however, the carbon dioxide turns into carbonic acid as a result of a chemical reaction. While this isn’t a bad thing when it comes to flavor—it makes your drink refreshing and tangy—it does make the beverage more acidic, and that acid might contribute to enamel erosion. Who knew?! The more you drink this fizzy water, the more you end up exposing your teeth to the acid, especially if you swish it around your mouth before you swallow. Scary fact: A lot of people like adding lemon or lime juice to carbonated water in order to enhance the flavor, but this simple action increases the acidity. Yikes! Let’s Look at Some Studies, Shall We? A drink’s pH can tell you how acidic it is. Soda is really acidic (and, therefore, bad for your teeth), coming in at around 2 on the pH scale. Good ol’ water is around 7. See the difference? But what about carbonated water? Experts have completed studies to determine the acidity of a variety of popular drinks, including juice, soda, tea, sports drinks, and sparkling water. They found that this water is minimally erosive, with a pH higher than 4. Compare that to sports drinks, which are extremely erosive because their pH tends to be below 3, and it becomes pretty clear that sparkling water is the better choice. Researchers also discovered that the pH of carbonated water will rise when it goes flat and when it reaches room temperature. Translation: when the water is still nice and bubbly, as well as cold, it’s more damaging to your teeth.   According to the American Dental Association (ADA), however, experts noted that the effects of plain water and sparkling water were similar when they exposed teeth to these beverages in the lab. So, despite the fact that the bubbly water is more acidic than plain water, it’s still a better choice than the sugar-laden options available. When It Comes to Water, Boring Is Better Sure, it’s boring and tasteless, but pure water is really the best choice for your chompers. Sparkling water is a better option than sodas, and even orange juice, because it’s way less acidic, but because it’s more acidic than non-carbonated water, it still isn’t the ideal beverage for the health of your teeth. Tip: Can’t live without bubbly water? Choose sparkling mineral water, which will provide minerals like calcium phosphate that may help counteract some of the damage caused by the acidity of your drink. Cheers to that! Tip 2: It’s best to avoid sipping on carbonated water throughout the day, constantly exposing your teeth to the acidity. Instead, enjoy fizzy water with a meal, when you’re naturally producing more saliva that can help neutralize some of the acid.     Want to Know the Signs of Enamel Erosion? We’ve mentioned enamel erosion quite a bit so far, but what are the symptoms of this condition so you can recognize it when it starts to occur? Tooth sensitivity when you consume hot or cold foods and drinks Notches, particularly at the neck of a tooth (the neck is found between the root and the crown of a tooth) Yellowing or darkening of the teeth (this is the dentin becoming increasingly more exposed as the white enamel is worn away) Note: Erosion tends to develop slowly, so you might not notice it right away. In fact, your dentist may pick up on signs of erosion before you do. Worried About Your Enamel? Talk to Your Dentist! In addition to drinking carbonated water in moderation, and avoiding water with added sugar and citrus flavoring, see your dentist regularly to help maintain the health of your enamel. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth to see if erosion is a problem and if cavities have formed in the outer layers of your pearly whites. Plus, this is a great opportunity to ask a pro about steps that you can take daily to keep your enamel as strong as possible for many years to come.    Sources: https://www.today.com/health/sparkling-water-bad-your-teeth-dentists-weigh-t70761 https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-sensitivity/is-sparkling-water-bad-for-your-teeth https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/the-truth-about-sparkling-water-and-your-teeth