Saliva pH: what is it and how does it influence oral health?

Understanding the pH of saliva and how it influences the health of your teeth and gums will help you prevent oral problems and help you maintain a healthy smile.. To do this, you need to know what the ideal salivary pH is, what factors can alter it and what habits will help you keep it in balance.

What is the pH of saliva?

The pH measures the level of acidity and alkalinity of a substance. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, so values less than 7 would be acidic and values greater than 7 would be alkaline. In the case of saliva the pH is usually between 5.6 and 7.9that is to say that saliva can be slightly acidic or almost neutral.

Saliva, in addition to lubricating and making digestion easier, also helps keep the mouth healthy. It helps neutralize acids that can damage teeth, protects tooth enamel and controls the amount of oral bacteria. If the pH of saliva becomes unbalanced, i.e., too acidic or alkaline, problems can occur in teeth, gums or other parts of the body. So what is the ideal salivary pH for good oral health? The best salivary pH is between 6.5 and 7.5..

How does salivary pH influence oral health?

The mouth is full of bacteria, some beneficial and some that can cause problems, and the pH in saliva helps maintain a balance between them. When the pH is right, saliva can neutralize acids that damage teeth and gums. neutralize acids that damage teeth and gums.But if it becomes acidic, it is easy for cavities to develop, enamel to wear away or gums to become inflamed.

Although it is less common and the value is usually not far from neutral, having a very high pH in the saliva also the natural balance of oral bacteria.. While these changes do not always lead to complications, it is important to pay attention, as they may promote certain discomforts or conditions in the salivary glands. In rare cases, they may be associated with more complex conditions.

Factors that alter the pH of saliva

Certain habits can cause the pH of saliva to become more acidic, and most are related to what we eat. related to what we eat, how we care forhow we take care of our teeth and our lifestyle.

1. Acidic beverages and sugary foods

Soft drinks, energy drinks, citrus fruit juices, wine and coffee are beverages that temporarily lower the pH of saliva. If consumed continuously or in large quantitiesIf they are consumed continuously or in large quantities, saliva maintains its acidity for a longer period of time and damages tooth enamel. The same happens with sugary foods; oral bacteria take advantage of their sugar to produce acids that reduce the pH of saliva, preventing it from performing its protective function.

2. Poor oral hygiene and xerostomia

Unhealthy oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing or flossing your teeth properly, cause food debris and plaque to remain in your mouth. food debris and plaque in the mouth.. This environment favors bacterial proliferation which alters the pH. This, combined with dry mouth, also called xerostomia, aggravates the situation. If there is not enough saliva, acids are not neutralized, and the mouth is more exposed to other problems.

3. Lifestyle and other factors

Smoking and drinking alcohol in excessin addition to directly affecting oral tissues, can alter the production, quality and pH of saliva. Similarly, taking certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants or blood pressure treatments, can reduce salivary flow and change its chemical composition.

Biological factors also play a role, such as age and hormonal changesespecially during pregnancy or menopause, which can alter both the amount and type of saliva produced. In addition, a nutrient-poor diet, dehydration, chronic stress and some systemic diseases affect the salivary glands.

Tips for maintaining a balanced salivary pH

1. Take good care of your oral hygiene

For perfect perfect oral hygiene it is ideal to brush your teeth at least twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen the enamel. If you have eaten or drunk something acidic, wait for about 30 minutes before brushing your teeth to avoid damaging the tooth enamel. Use dental floss or small brushes to clean the space between the teeth and remove food debris that the normal toothbrush cannot reach. Mouthwashes can also be used to balance the pH and keep bacteria under control.

Ideally, professional daily oral care products professional daily oral care products such as GINGIKIN B5designed to take care of your gums every day. Both the toothpaste and the rinse contain provitamin B5 and other ingredients that help protect oral tissues, balance salivary pH and strengthen the mouth's defenses.

2. Follow a balanced diet

You should try to reduce the consumption of foods and beverages with a lot of sugar or acidity and include in your diet foods that help neutralize these acids, such as dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetablesThese are not only rich in nutrients, but also stimulate the production of saliva and help to naturally cleanse the mouth. It is essential not to snack all the time, as bacteria react by producing acids.

3. Stay well hydrated

Drinking enough water throughout the day helps produce more saliva, the best natural defense against heartburn. After eating or drinking something acidic rinsing the mouth with water or simply drinking a little can help bring the pH back into balance more quickly. In addition, staying well hydrated helps the entire body function, including the salivary glands.