Which characteristic makes carbonic acid generally considered a minimal long-term dental health concern when consuming plain carbonated water?
It is weak and quickly breaks down into water and $ ext{CO}_2$ upon ingestion or exposure to air.
The differential impact on dental health between plain carbonated water and highly acidic sodas rests on the nature of the acids present. Carbonic acid is a weak acid that possesses a limited corrosive potential compared to strong acids like phosphoric acid. Critically, the text notes that carbonic acid quickly breaks down into water ($ ext{H}_2 ext{O}$) and carbon dioxide ($ ext{CO}_2$) once it is ingested or exposed to ambient air. This instability means it has a minimal long-term effect on tooth enamel erosion, especially when contrasted with the stronger, intentionally added acidulants that remain active longer and are known to be more corrosive.
