You will not find many dental professionals that will talk about pH and how it relates to tooth decay. Fortunately, we know that this is an important subject talk about because there is a strong correlation between a high number of cavities and having an acidic mouth. While you may not be sure of how your mouth has become so acidic, the processed sugars and flours that you consume tell the story clearly. When you have a pH that is low, your teeth will demineralize and lead to your enamel being softer and much more weak than it should be.
While it may not be a popular topic, the pH level of your mouth is a big deal. You want your mouth to be more alkaline than acidic so that your teeth can continue to remineralize. Teeth that fully remineralize will be immune to cavities and lead to a stunning smile.
What Affects pH of Your Mouth?
It’s true that you are what you eat! As rude as it may sound, this saying is true in many ways, especially when it comes to your teeth. If you choose to eat a lot of sugary foods, your mouth will become more acidic. Over time, after choosing to eat poorly, the bacterial composition of your mouth will begin to change. In fact, your mouth will begin to crave this type of food and you will begin to develop saliva that is more acidic. In this case, you will truly become what you eat.
However, there is good news. You can instantly stop the demineralization in your mouth and neutralize your saliva. One way to do this is by chewing Xylitol Gum which contains a natural sugar substitute. There are many gum choices that I love with XylitoL such as Trident, Mentos, and Orbitz. These gum choices have fewer calories and most importantly, they can’t be digested by the bacteria in your mouth. By chewing this gum consistently, you can reduce the amount of sugar loving bacteria that is currently residing in your mouth. This gum can also prevent acid erosion on your teeth. Click here to read more about the benefits of Xylitol Gum.
Acid and Cavities
Cavities develop when there is acid present in your mouth. An acidic mouth contains the perfect conditions that are needed to weaken your teeth. While your dentist says that bacteria is to blame for your cavities, this is only a small fraction of the problem. If your teeth can remineralize, then the bacteria cannot infect them and lead to your cavity. An acidic mouth makes your teeth become soft and therefore it becomes susceptible to bacteria and that that overall leads to more cavities. Acids pull phosphate ions and calcium from your teeth which makes them weak and less than perfect.
Tooth decay can begin to take place if the pH in your mouth is around 5.9. When your pH has reached this level, your tooth enamel can begin to erode. When your pH reaches 6.1, the cementum next to your gums can begin to demineralize. By choosing the right foods and limiting the amount of sugar you consume, you can avoid a pH of 5.9 or less. In addition to avoiding sugar, scheduling regular dental visits while brushing and flossing twice a day can reduce the bacteria that attaches to the plaque on your teeth. With a healthy oral hygiene routine, you can prevent tooth decay.
Learn more by watching this video
Reversing Tooth Decay
Once you get control over the pH of your mouth, the next thing to focus on is trying to resist infections. This will help your teeth become as strong as possible so that they can last forever. The first step will be scheduling a teeth cleaning with our cosmetic dentists. Second, with a healthy gum choices or toothpaste with flouride and calcium, you can remineralize your teeth and even work towards healing minor cavities that may have begun to form. With improved nutrition habits, you can avoid getting cavities in the future. Foods that improve teeth can include:
- Raw milk
- Cage-free eggs
- Meat from grass-fed animals
- Cheeses
- Bone broth
- Organic, fresh veggies
At Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa, we want you to have the healthiest mouth possible. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and begin improving the pH of your mouth today.