Is Drinking Bottled Water Harmful?

Millions of Americans have turned to bottled water as part of their nutrition plan. You've most likely seen evidence of it here in Grand Rapids — bottles in the gym, at the office and everywhere you go. Americans consume almost 9 billion gallons of bottled water every year. For several years, dentists have voiced concern over the impact that drinking bottled water will have on our teeth — especially in children.

While bottled water does not pose any direct health risks — it does not contain any fluoride. Most municipalities across the country have followed Grand Rapids’ lead and have been adding fluoride to the water supply since the 1950s. When you and your children drink tap water, everyone gets an extra dose of cavity fighting fluoride with every sip.

Drinking bottled water has become so widespread that dentists today are seeing the effects of this missing fluoride in children. Any dentist will tell you that the rise in tooth decay in children under the age of ten is alarming.

In a survey published by the Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, it was reported that 70 percent of parents give their children bottled water for reasons such as convenience, taste preference or fear of tap water.

Ironically, many of the companies that produce bottled water are simply purifying tap water. In addition, the standards for purifying tap water are actually more stringent than those that govern bottled water. So, when you are drinking bottled water, you are actually drinking tap water that may or may not be as pure as your own tap water.

Just keep in mind that the fluoride in tap water is good for your children. The more you choose tap water over bottled water for your kids, the less time they will spend at the dentist.

To learn more about the effects of drinking bottled water or to schedule an appointment, contact your Grand Rapids pediatric dentist Dr. Meggan Krause or call our office directly at 616.988.9485.