Tips to balance the pH of your mouth

Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology

August 5th, 2019

The acidity present in your mouth matters! Here, in this article, let us talk about the importance of pH present in your mouth and tips to balance the pH value in your mouth.

Why pH in your mouth matters?

pH value stands for potential hydrogen, which denotes the acidic or basic nature of a material. The pH value range varies from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). 

Some examples of everyday food particles that are acidic include fruits such as orange, lemon and even coffee. An antacid is a very good example of a base that can be consumed by us.

Having talked about the examples, here is why you ought to maintain a balance in your mouth. 

• Your mouth needs a balanced pH. Any value below 5.5 shows severe side effects.
• The side-effects of excess acidity may harm the teeth and the enamel in the long run by eroding the outermost layer.
• The human kidneys require an ideal balance of pH to maintain proper function.
• Consistent bad breath is present when there is a pH imbalance for a long time.
• The ideal pH value of blood is 7.4 and any wide variation over a long period of time might affect natural chemical processes.

Tips to balance pH in your mouth:

• Try to avoid drinking sugary drinks in bulk quantities. If unavoidable, try drinking it over a long period of time.
• Avoid drinking soft drinks, white wine, cheese or cherries as they play a major role in reducing the pH value of your mouth.
• Stay hydrated/Drink water regularly. Drinking water in frequent intervals plays a major role in reducing the acidity present in your oral region.
• Consume alkaline food materials to counteract acidic food particles. 
• Eating cheese also helps in counteracting the acidic food substances.
• Eat dairy products at regular intervals.
• Consume a protein-rich diet consisting of eggs, chicken breast, tofu and yoghurt.
• Consume veggies and nuts in regular intervals.