ACID=Decay!!  

Why is pH so important?

pH is a measure of acidity. The lower the pH, the more acidic something is, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline something is. The pH scale goes from 1-14, 1 being the most acidic, 14 being the most alkaline, and 7 being neutral (like most water).

For years we have focused on the role of sugar in causing cavities. While we know that sugar feeds the bacteria that produce acids, which in turn causes cavities, it is a prolonged acidic oral pH that is responsible for promoting these cavity-causing bacteria, and an acidic pH that is responsible for the demineralization of the enamel required for cavities to occur.

It breaks down like this. . .

Prolonged Acidic pH in the mouth =

overgrowth of acid producing bacteria =

death of healthy bacteria =

caries infection due to acidic damage to enamel =

This is why people that have active tooth decay tend constantly battle tooth decay. Once you are cavity free, you tend to stay cavity free! You must also pay close attention to diet such as highly acidic food and drink such as sodas (even sugar free), orange juice, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and sour candy (especially sticky candy). 

CAVITIES

If you want to stop the end result in this chain, you have to intercept the lowering of the pH, which you can do either by avoiding acidic and sugary food/drink and/or by using alkaline and neutralizing dental products.

Conversely, if we can keep the pH of the mouth neutral between meals, we can maintain health. If the caries infection already exists, we can use alkaline pH products to promote the re-growth of healthy bacteria.

Expert Advice

• Limit not only sugary/carbohydrate containing items in your diet, but also even non-sugar containing acidic beverages (i.e. diet soda, coffee, tea, sparkling water, alcohol). It is these items in the diet that can cause intense or long-lasting acidic pH in the mouth that then causes healthy bacteria to die and cavity-causing bacteria to thrive, thus leading to a caries infection.
• Consider the acidity (pH) of the dental products you are using. Do they neutralize your mouth? Know your pH. Don't just brush and floss. . . neutralize!

Brought to you by Dr. Maxwell and information from www.carifree.com