What is a pH level? A pH value indicates how acidic or basic a solution is. A pH of 0 indicates a high level of acidity. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH of 14 is the most basic, or alkaline. Foods with a pH below 4.6 is high in acid.
Acidic foods and beverages lower your pH, which can affect your oral health. Long periods of low pH can cause the following issues:
Bad Breath -If you suffer from bad breath, it could be a sign of unbalanced pH levels in your mouth.
Mineral loss - Snacks that are acidic deplete your teeth of minerals, which might cause damage from harmful bacteria.
Bacterial Imbalance – A high pH can cause harmful bacteria to grow which can contribute to gum disease.
Enamel erosion – Acid can wear down enamel. This can make your teeth hot and cold sensitive. Unfortunately, enamel does not grow back.
Tooth Decay – Over time, with the mineral loss and enamel erosion, you become vulnerable to tooth decay.
There are so many choices of beverages and foods today. Dr. Mary Rose suggests checking the nutritional facts to check the pH level. Here are a few examples that might surprise you.
Water – Water is neutral to alkaline. However, flavored or carbonated water have a lower pH level. They average between 2.5 and 3.5 due to the added acids used to create the flavor.
Milk – Whole milk ranges from 6.7-6.9
Cranberry Juice – pH averages between 2.3-2.5
Green Tea – pH is neutral 7.0
Black Coffee – pH is 5.0
Peas, Garbanzo beans – pH is 6.48-6.80
Pomegranate – pH level of 2.93-3.20
If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss this with Dr. Mary Rose at your hygiene visit.
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