How Chemistry Affects Your Oral Health: Essential Insights For a Healthy Smile
Make a Difference In Your Dental Care: The Importance Of Acids & Bases For Healthier Teeth & Gums
Did you know that chemistry can greatly impact oral health? You probably remember something about pH from your science class, but if you don’t, we’ll refresh some concepts. Acids and bases play a crucial role in the health of your teeth and gums and can significantly affect your overall oral health.
What Is The pH Scale? How Acidity & Alkalinity Influence Oral Health?
The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is, ranging from 1 to 14. Some substances, like water, are neutral with a pH of 7. Highly acidic substances are lower on the scale, while highly basic ones are higher.
Our stomach’s acid falls between 1.5 and 2.5, which is necessary to break down food and kill bacteria. Common foods like orange juice are highly acidic, with a pH of 3.3 to 4.2, while soap has a pH ranging from 9 to 10. But what pH is best for our mouths?
What Is The Optimal pH For Oral Health? Maintaining The Right Balance For Strong Teeth & Gums
Different parts of our body have different pH levels. For instance, our skin is mildly acidic, with a pH around 5.5, while blood is slightly basic (around 7.4 pH). To keep our teeth and gums healthy, our oral pH should remain neutral most of the time. A more acidic mouth can damage tooth enamel over time. Though tooth enamel is meant to last a lifetime, it can start to erode at an acidic pH of 5.5.
Common Causes Of Acidic Mouth: Foods, Drinks & Habits That Harm Your Oral Health
Our mouths become acidic directly through the consumption of certain foods and beverages, like sodas or alcohol. They can also become acidic indirectly when we consume sugary or starchy foods, from candies to bakery products. Harmful oral bacteria feed on these leftovers and excrete acid onto our teeth and gums. Certain health issues, such as acid reflux or frequent vomiting, can also introduce more acid into the mouth.
How Saliva Protects Your Teeth: Your Body’s Natural Defense Against Oral Acidity
Fortunately, saliva acts as a natural defense against acidity in the mouth. It washes away leftover food particles and helps neutralize pH over time. Without enough saliva, chewing and swallowing become more challenging, and our teeth become more vulnerable to acid. How can we support saliva in its role? The simplest way is to avoid sugary drinks and treats. Every time we consume starchy foods or beverages, the saliva neutralizing clock resets, helping maintain a balanced pH. We recommend avoiding snacks or drinks other than water outside of mealtimes.
Reduce Sugar & Acid: Diet Changes That Protect Your Teeth From Erosion
In addition to minimizing sugary or acidic snacks, reducing starch intake—found in foods like bread—can also help. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet is a good way to reduce overall sugar and acid levels.
Let’s Have a Healthier Smile: Maintaining Neutral pH For Long-Term Oral Health
Keeping your pH neutral will help your gums and teeth stay healthier over time. Making small changes in your diet and reserving sweet treats for mealtimes will help maintain a balanced pH, preventing cavities and other oral health issues. Remember, it’s crucial to brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day and, if possible, after every meal.
Don’t forget to visit a Gilbert dental professional regularly for checkups and cleanings. These habits will keep your oral health in top shape and your smile bright.
Key Takeaways For a Healthy Smile: Managing pH, Diet & Regular Dental Care
Now that you understand the basics of pH, you can make informed choices about food and beverages throughout the day. Visit us at Gilbert Vista Dental Care, where our professional dentists in Gilbert can perform a general checkup and ensure your dental health is in top condition. Contact us today to schedule your visit!
Gilbert Vista Dental Care
2451 East Baseline Road #210
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Phone: (480) 503-5467
Email: info@drritapeck.com
Website: https://drritapeck.com/
