Dental Health Dental Health Basics

Is Bottled Water Hurting Your Teeth?

Summary & Participants

You may think bottled water is better for you than tap water. But dentists say it's not always better for your teeth.

Medically Reviewed On: August 07, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: More and more, people are getting their water from this rather than the tap. But the cost may be higher than they realize.

Stephen Tympanick, DDS: What we started to see is more decay, more tooth decay in people in their 20s, 20s and 30s and even older. When I see more decay than I should, I ask them, are you drinking bottled water? and usually the answer is yes, they're drinking bottled water exclusively.

ANNOUNCER: Cavities are making a comeback. Dentists like Dr. Stephen Tympanick say bottled water is a big part of the problem.

Stephen Tympanick, DDS: People are getting less fluoride in their system and, without the fluoride, it leaves them more prone to tooth decay. And most people are unaware that they're not getting the fluoride

ANNOUNCER: While some controversy still surrounds the fluoridation of drinking water, the centers for disease control says it has decreased tooth decay in kids by almost 30 percent. It works by making tooth enamel stronger.

Stephen Tympanick, DDS: It changes the enamel structure, so that it becomes more resistant to tooth decay and actually can reverse the process a little bit.

ANNOUNCER: But don’t think you’re safe just because you brush with a fluoride toothpaste.

Stephen Tympanick, DDS: The amount of fluoride on the toothpaste, it's just a superficial dosage. Having it in your system is a much effective much more effective way to have it work with the teeth.

ANNOUNCER: While most Americans’ tap water has enough fluoride to protect teeth – most bottled waters don’t. Dr. Tympanick offers this advice to his patients.

Stephen Tympanick, DDS: I quickly advise them that they need to start getting city water in their diet. Just take your bottled water and fill it with the tap water and you'll be fine and then you won't lose your status in society.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily.