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Bacteria cause dental disease. These organisms thrive in a dry, acidic mouth, resulting in bad breath, plaque build-up, gingivitis, and weakened teeth. Acids produced by the bacteria erode tooth enamel, leading to sensitivity, cavities and tooth discoloration. Tooth enamel is a very delicate, living membrane that can be softened and demineralized by acids. Enamel damage cannot be stopped; it can only be prevented or repaired once it happens. The best prevention is to remove mouth acidity quickly and help teeth become as acid resistant as possible.
Mouth AcidityMouth Acidity + Dry Mouth = Cavities and Dental DiseaseMouth acidity is determined by measuring the pH of saliva. Saliva with a pH above 7.0 is in a safe, alkaline state. If saliva measures below 7.0, it is in an acidic state. The root surfaces of teeth can be damaged by mouth acidity below 6.5 and tooth enamel will erode if levels fall to pH 5.5. The longer teeth remain in saliva with an acidic pH, the greater the damage from demineralization. When saliva levels are alkaline, teeth can strengthen and repair through a natural process of tooth remineralization. The longer the mouth pH remains alkaline, the greater opportunity for teeth to repair themselves. Mouth pH can fluctuate for a number of reasons related to diet, body chemistry and hormones, climate, or mouth dryness. Anything that causes a drop in the mouth pH to make it acidic or to cause mouth dryness is a risk factor for dental disease. The greater your risk for dental disease, the more protection you will need to keep your teeth safe from damage. To understand risk factors and how to control mouth acidity, it is useful to test for saliva pH. If saliva tests acidic, it is important to bring the mouth back to an alkaline state. This can be quickly achieved by eating xylitol, which will protect teeth from mouth acidity and help to remineralize and repair them.
Dry Mouth Dry mouths offer greater risk of dental damage. While some dry mouth is permanent, caused by disease or radiation damage, everyone wakes with a dry mouth following sleeping, when less saliva is produced, so everyone shares this risk.
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