Acidity & pH

Please see the below video to understand the consequences of acid erosion:

This balancing act in the mouth has a direct effect on your risk for cavities. This a major source of increased dental caries.

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you drink anything other than water more than 2/day between meals?
Do you snack daily between meals?

You may be surprised to know how acidic some everyday foods and beverages can be! Click here for more detailed pH tables for common foods & beverages!

We recommend the following tips to protect your teeth from acids:

Avoid or limit soft drinks and other acidic beverages.To maintain a low-risk status, you limit food/beverages (other than water) to 4-5/day.
Use CariFree pH elevated products to change the chemical balance of your mouth & help prevent cavities.
Avoid swishing acidic beverages around your mouth.
Rinse your mouth with water after you eat or drink.
Chew sugarless gum to increase your saliva flow and wash away acids.
Drink milk or eat foods that contain calcium, like cheese, which neutralize acids.

Risk Factors for Net Mineral Loss = Caries

Time of Exposure

DRINK ALL DAY- GET DECAY!
It is much better to drink a can of soda/juice all at once versus drinking it over a period of hours. The continued acid challenges does not allow a rebound to healthy pH.

Dry Mouth / Saliva

Saliva helps to keep your mouth clean by washing bacteria and food off of your teeth and tongue constantly throughout the day. This natural defense helps to prevent the plaque buildup. When you have dry mouth, plaque and bacteria can accumulate quicker, leading to increased risk for cavities and periodontal disease.

Biofilm Imbalance

The bacterial biofilm is also known as plaque or tartar. The cavity-causing bacteria are able to adapt and thrive in more acidic pH. Too much total plaque &/or high concentration of cavity causing bacteria can result in net mineral loss, which can result in decay.

Diet

Consider the frequency of snacking & drinking (anything other than water). Every time we eat/drink, the pH in our mouth becomes more acidic! Prolonged periods of low pH can result in net mineral loss from the teeth.

Home Care

This refers to the mechanical removal of debris and plaque with daily brushing and flossing- AND- maybe as/more important, the therapeutic agents being brushed with, rinsed with, etc. The products you use make a difference!

→ https://carifree.com/shop/

Oral Appliances

Oral Appliances can create artificial areas on the teeth that are much harder to clean. These artificial areas can also prevent exposure to protective saliva flow. Examples of oral appliances are braces, Invisalign trays, night guards and partial dentures.

Health Concerns

Tobacco Use
Acid Reflux
Diabetes
Bulimia
Drug Use

Educate Yourself