Guide To Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Bottled water vs. tap water hmmm..? Have you wondered what the health benefits of bottled water vs. tap water for your teeth may be?

Did you know that the average American drinks about 182.5 gallons of water per year? The United States has one of the safest drinking waters, but often people still argue which healthier bottled water vs. tap water?

Water is an essential part of the body, and choosing either will benefit you, but especially when it comes to oral health, one is the superior option. 

Keep reading on to learn which is better, bottled water vs. tap water.  

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Many people find bottled water more convenient than tap water. Also, some believe that bottled water is safer and healthier. However, tap water has many health benefits, especially when it comes to oral health.  

According to The American Dental Association, Americans can benefit from drinking tap water due to the fluoride found in almost all tap water.  

Fluoride is a naturally found mineral in the water that is key to good oral health. Fluoride is an essential part of oral health for several reasons, which include:

• Protecting teeth from cavities
• Preventing tooth decay
• Strengthens tooth enamel
• Fights bacteria on teeth

In addition to the oral health benefits of fluoride, tap water is also safe since it is heavily regulated through The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is responsible for setting safety standards for the public tap water and monitoring to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink.

Bottled water is regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and does not have as strict guidelines as the EPA does for drinking water safety. 

Why Is Tap Water Good For Your Teeth?

Tap water is the better option, especially for oral health, because it does not typically have essential minerals filtered out. 

There are several minerals that are also found in tap water that can sometimes be filtered out with bottled water that is helpful in oral health. These minerals include:

• Flouride
• Calcium
• Phosphorous
• Magnesium 

These minerals also help strengthen the enamel on teeth and help to fight off tooth decay. 

Drinking tap water can help ensure that plaque is removed from tricky parts of your teeth. Especially areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach with brushing your teeth alone. 

Some home filters remove fluoride during their filtration process. This is especially true for home filtration that uses either reverse osmosis or distillation. Make sure to check with the manufacturer or manual for information on fluoride removal. 

Why Is Bottled Water Bad For Your Teeth? 

While bottled water and tap water are healthier alternatives than sugary drinks for oral health and stronger teeth, most bottled water is not as healthy as tap water since it lacks key minerals. 

Bottled water typically uses two types of filtration methods. They use either reverse osmosis or distillation. Both of these processes help to remove substances in the water that can affect the water’s taste. 

Unfortunately, through these filtration methods, it removes naturally found fluoride and other minerals from the water. 

However, this is not true for all bottled water, and some companies add fluoride back into the water due to the oral health benefits. So, how do you determine what is the best-bottled water with fluoride?

When looking for bottled water good for your teeth, read the label and check for fluoride levels. To prevent tooth decay, water should contain 0.7 to 1.2 ppm of fluoride. 

Good Oral Health Includes The Right Water 

When it comes to choosing between bottled water vs. tap water, instead of grabbing for that bottle of water, fill up a glass from the tap to help protect your teeth from cavities and strengthen your enamel. 

While choosing tap water may help protect your teeth, it is still crucial to visit the dentist. To ensure you have a healthy smile, contact us at Suburban Essex Dental to schedule a consultation today.