Is Hard Water Bad for Your Teeth?

Hard water can cause a lot of problems throughout your home. From scratchy laundry and spots on your dishes to itchy skin after taking a shower, the minerals that are found in hard water can impact a lot of different aspects of your life. Additionally, hard water is harsher on your plumbing systems, causing the pipes and appliances that connect to them to deteriorate sooner. Given all of these issues, you may be wondering if hard water is bad for your teeth as well. Here’s what you need to know about hard water and dental health.

Can Drinking Hard Water Stain Your Teeth?

A common concern among individuals with hard water in their homes is the water staining their teeth. However, there is currently no evidence that indicates a connection between drinking hard water and the yellowing or staining of teeth. Acidic drinks like coffee, soda, and wine, as well as fruits and vegetables like beets and blueberries are far more likely to stain your teeth than hard water is.

Is it OK to Brush Your Teeth Using Hard Water?

Another common concern related to hard water is whether it’s too abrasive to brush your teeth with. The bristles of the toothbrush and the toothpaste you use are designed to be abrasive, effectively scrubbing your teeth clean. Hard water also has abrasive qualities. However, these qualities are not that significant when it comes to brushing your teeth.

Is the Calcium in Hard Water Good for Your Teeth?

In addition to concerns about hard water, some people also wonder if hard water is beneficial for your teeth. Hard water has higher levels of certain minerals, including calcium, which is known to be good for tooth and bone health. However, calcium in your drinking water typically comes from inorganic sources, such as rock formations, while calcium that’s found in foods is organic. Your body benefits from digesting the organic calcium and using that to build bone health.

What Problems Can Hard Water Cause?

Overall, hard water neither helps nor harms your teeth. If tooth health is your primary concern about your water supply, you’ll be happy to know that either hard water or soft water will be fine to drink and brush your teeth with. In general, however, hard water can cause numerous other issues throughout your home that impact your quality of life. If you’re experiencing things like dry and itchy skin after a shower, hard water deposits on your glasses and dishes, mineral buildup on your showerheads, or other related issues, you may find it beneficial to invest in a water treatment system to soften your hard water supply.

At Miami Water & Air, we proudly offer and install water softeners and other water treatment systems that can soften and filter your water to eliminate unpleasant odors, tastes, and other issues. If you’re interested in having a water softener installed for your home, contact Miami Water & Air today.