So you’ve cut out sugary sodas and juices and have increased your water intake each day in an effort to be healthier. Kudos! We all know that drinking enough water each day is important for your teeth, skin and overall health.

But did you know that if you’re drinking bottled water, you might not be doing your body the favor you think you are? That’s because some bottled waters can be just as acidic as those sodas you’ve been trying to avoid!

In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, the pH values for the tested bottled waters were found to be predominantly acidic. Ten out of the 14 beverages tested were acidic (with a pH lower than 7), 2 municipal or “tap” waters were neutral with a pH of 7, and 2 bottled waters were alkaline (higher than 7pH). The majority of waters tested had a more acidic pH when tested in the lab than the value listed in their water quality reports.

So, why is acidic water a problem?

According to the same study:

“Research substantiates that consumption of acidic beverages is positively correlated with the incidence and prevalence of dental caries and dental erosion. Dental erosion has been defined as the chemical removal of mineral from tooth structure. Erosion of enamel and root surfaces of teeth is a potentially serious oral health concern in the U.S., and the consumption of acidic beverages is a contributing factor.

The acidity level of water can vary greatly, depending on the water’s source and processing methods. So what is the solution?

Tap is Where it’s At

Most of the time, the water straight from your tap is going to be less acidic than most bottled waters, so use what you have! Purchase a sports bottle and fill it from your tap to take on the go instead of buying bottled water. It’s healthier, cheaper and also is more environmentally friendly! You can purchase testing kits online to measure your water’s pH level.

If your tap water isn’t as alkaline as you’d like, you can buy a water ionizer, which creates alkaline water via a process called ionization.

A Better Bottled Option

If you do need to purchase bottled water, opt for one that is more alkaline. See our graphic for an idea of how your favorite bottled water fares in the pH value.

Here at Sunnyside Family Dentistry, we prefer alkaline water such as Essentia, which we carry here in our office. The water is passed through micro filtration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet exposure making Essentia 99.9% pure. Meanwhile, removal of the bitter-tasting acidic ions creates a 9.5pH (or higher) ionized alkaline water.

What’s more, Essentia’s proprietary ionization process creates a clean and smooth tasting 9.5pH or higher alkaline water that’s better at re-hydrating. In fact, Essentia was included in the first ever hydration study of its kind. The clinical trial, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, measured how well a leading bottled water and Essentia Water re-hydrated participants after moderate aerobic exercise. The results showed that Essentia water was more effective at re-hydrating.

So there you have it! Stick to that tasty alkaline water and your teeth will thank you for it!