Oh no. It’s that smell again. The smell of antiseptic, plastic and dread. The dentist looms over you in your mind’s eye as you watch the soda you crave hiss and pop right in front of you. Everyone knows you have to avoid the ever alluring fizz if you want to avoid going to the shudders dentist.
But. Do you?
The dentists arent lying, per se. When carbon dioxide is pushed into a liquid, mostly water, trace amounts of carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) are formed. Which makes soda slightly more acidic than plain water. That, added with the bazillion sugars and sweeteners and preservatives that go into a soft drink, it’s no wonder they rot your teeth!
Sparkling water as an alternative.
In 2001, a team of researchers at the University of Birmingham observed seven distinct brands of carbonated water by pouring them over extracted teeth. The results showed that sparkling water had a pH between 5 and 6, compared to other kinds of carbonated drinks where the pH levels ranged from 2 to 2.5. Now, pH levels of 5 to 6 are easily neutralized by the saliva, which is slightly alkaline in nature, which makes sparkling water practically neutral.
Sparkling water on it’s own has the same nutritional composition of plain water, i.e. no sugars or calories, unless it’s added for sweetness. Polka Pop only has natural fruit flavours, which makes it sparkling water with light flavouring and no sweetness. With any tooth-rotting elements of soft drinks taken away, Pop is safe to consume without ruining your teeth. Say adios to your dentist, and hola to fizz with Pop!
References:
Comments