Yes, Oral pH Matters 3 EASY STEPS TO MINIMIZE TOOTH DAMAGE FROM DRINKS
When you consume acidic foods and drinks, your oral pH is tipped, creating an imbalance that immediately starts to wear away the enamel on your teeth. If that protective layer wears away, it leaves your teeth vulnerable to plaque and bacteria, which cause decay, sensitivity, and discoloring.
When does that decay start? Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT IS THE PH SCALE, AND WHEN DOES IT GET OUT OF BALANCE? The pH scale is a measure of the acidity of a given substance. It ranges from 0–14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 the most basic (or alkaline). A substance with 7 pH is a “neutral” substance that is neither acidic nor basic. For example, water has a pH of 7. Think of the human mouth as a watery ecosystem that, like the rest of the body, requires a balanced pH that is ever so slightly alkaline. Your saliva sits around a pH of 7.6. Decay
The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. RECHARGE FIRST Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. GET STARTED EARLY Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun. HAVE A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY 3 TIPS FOR A MERRIER TIME
begins when the pH level in your mouth drops below 5.5. Common drinks like coffee and orange juice both have acidic pH levels.
Have you ever noticed that when you take a while to sip on a soda (pH 2–3) or wine (pH 4), it feels like there are socks on your teeth, or they feel fuzzy? That’s because the pH in your mouth has become acidic and is causing demineralization of your enamel.
PRACTICE 3 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR ORAL PH BALANCED. First, don’t nurse your drinks or snacks. Keeping a soda or snack at your desk to graze on or taking all morning to finish a coffee creates a long- term acidic environment in your mouth without giving your saliva a chance to rebalance it. If that doesn’t work for you, second, try keeping a glass of water to drink alongside your drink or snack, alternating between your acidic drink/snack and water to rebalance faster.
Third, use a straw! Keeping acid away from your teeth altogether whenever possible is an excellent option.
Bonus: Make sure you do NOT brush your teeth immediately after an acidic drink like soda. Because your enamel is demineralizing, as previously mentioned, it’ll be easier to damage it with your toothbrush. Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing! We hope our tips help you and your teeth stay healthy!
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