The PH Goldilocks Zone For Teeth And Gums
“Dental issues can arise because of bad bacteria in the mouth. Steven Powell, DDS, a general dentist at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, says the lack of a proper acid/alkaline balance within a patient’s mouth — also known as pH balance — can enable bad bacteria to thrive. Powell says the golden number for pH in your mouth should be 5.6 or above to help protect your gums and teeth (the neutral pH of water is 7). “
– Loma Linda School of Dentistry
PH Level Inside Your Mouth Important For Oral Health
Oral bacteria thrives under certain PH conditions and this depletes the mineral content of your teeth. If the PH level drops below 5.6 our teeth are at risk of damage caused by bacteria. This is why the term ‘Goldilocks’ has been coined to emphasise getting things just right inside our mouths. Dental experts agree that a balanced PH level inside the oral cavity is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
“The tooth surface normally loses some tooth mineral from the action of the acid formed by plaque bacteria after ingestion of foods containing fermentable carbohydrates. This mineral is normally replenished by the saliva between meals. However, when fermentable foods are eaten frequently, the low pH in the plaque is sustained and a net loss of mineral from the tooth occurs. This low pH selects for aciduric organisms, such as S mutans and lactobacilli, which (especially S mutans) store polysaccharide and continue to secrete acid long after the food has been swallowed.
Dental decay is due to the dissolution of tooth mineral (primarily hydroxyapatite, Ca10 (P04)6(0H)2) by acids derived from bacterial fermentation of sucrose and other dietary carbohydrates. These bacteria live in bacterial communities known as dental plaque which accumulates on the tooth surface.”
– Loesche WJ. Microbiology of Dental Decay and Periodontal Disease. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; 1996. Chapter 99. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8259
What Can You Do To Maintain Your Goldilocks’ PH Level?
The PH goldilocks zone for teeth and gums contributes to the maintenance of oral health. According to reliable estimates it takes around 10 minutes for the PH level in your mouth to regain a balanced level after consuming food or drink, other than water. Thus, constant snacking or sipping of processed foods and drinks, especially sweet stuff, is a recipe for disaster for your teeth and gums. Dental experts recommend limiting your intake of these consumables and longer breaks between imbibing them. Reduce the frequency of your snacking for improved oral health.
Maintain Dental Rituals To Offset Unhealthy Behaviours
The rituals I have in mind involve drinking plenty of pure water, especially after snacking and drinking stuff. Brushing your teeth properly after meals, flossing and such like to remove detritus from between your teeth. Indeed, make your oral cavity a point of pride in keeping the PH balance up. You are in a battle with the bad bacteria generated by your snacking and sipping of unhelpful stuff. Be vigilant for best results.
Increasing saliva function via chewing immediately after eating or drinking stuff is the smart way to utilise the body’s natural means of lowering PH content. A sugar free gum is best, so that you are not feeding the bad bacteria with what they love, which is refined sugar especially. The PH goldilocks zone for teeth and gums requires remedial action immediately after consuming refined sugar and processed foods in any format.
Check The PH Level Of Your Water
Yes, some commercial waters are below 5.6. Therefore, check the PH level of the bottled water you consume regularly. Most tap water is above 5.6 PH.
“To meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, tap water is regularly tested to ensure the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5.”
– Coliban.com.au
One of the important learnings to take from this, is that you cannot go through life assuming that what you eat and drink is perfectly alright for your health. In most people’s experience, too many folk do just that and then, wonder why their teeth do not last the distance. Remember that all those ads you see on your screens are designed to make their products sell more units and not to look after your health. Never assume anything in life. Water is one of the basic essentials in life and not all water is the same. Putting it into a pretty bottle does not make it better for your health. Check it out.
The PH Level Of Processed Beverages Commonly Available
“The dramatic increase in consumption of acid soft drinks, fruit juices, fruit drinks, sports drinks and carbonated beverages is now thought to be the leading cause of dental erosion observed among children and adolescents
The majority (93%, 355/380) of beverages had a pH below 4.0 and 7% (25/380) had a pH ≥4. Relative beverage erosivity zones based on previous studies of apatite solubility in acid indicated: 39% (150/380) of the beverages were considered extremely erosive (pH <3.0); 54% (205/380) were considered erosive (pH 3.0 to 3.99); 7% (25/380) were considered minimally erosive (pH ≥4.0).
This comprehensive pH assessment of beverages available for human consumption found that the majority are potentially erosive to the dentition. This study will provide dental clinicians and hygienists information regarding the erosive potential (pH) of commercially available beverages.”
– Reddy A, Norris DF, Momeni SS, Waldo B, Ruby JD. The pH of beverages in the United States. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016 Apr;147(4):255-63. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2015.10.019. Epub 2015 Dec 2. PMID: 26653863; PMCID: PMC4808596.
The news is not good for our teeth and gums if you drink a lot of commercially available soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks and alcoholic beverages. Reducing your consumption and taking active steps to alleviate the PH imbalance immediately afterwards when you do consume them is important if maintaining healthy teeth and gums is your desired result. The PH goldilocks zone for teeth and gums is something to remember and to affirm via positive actions whenever possible.
If the tap water is up to scratch in your neck of the woods, then this the best option with which to regularly rinse out your mouth after eating or drinking processed consumables. Remember if the PH level drops below 5.6 our teeth are at risk of damage caused by bacteria. This is why the term ‘Goldilocks’ has been coined to emphasise getting things just right inside our mouths.
Disclaimer: The material posted is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary with each patient. Any dental procedure carries risks and benefits. If you have any specific questions about any dental and/or medical matter, you should consult your dentist, physician or other professional healthcare providers.
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