Your mouth is a complex ecosystem where pH levels play a crucial role in determining whether your teeth stay healthy or develop cavities. Understanding this balance is key to long-term oral health.

🧪What is Oral pH?

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Your mouth naturally sits at around 7.0, but this can fluctuate throughout the day based on what you eat and drink. When pH drops below 5.5, your tooth enamel begins to demineralize.

📈The Stephan Curve

When you eat or drink, your oral pH drops rapidly — sometimes to as low as 4.0. This acid attack can last 20-30 minutes. The Stephan Curve describes this pH drop and recovery cycle. Understanding it helps explain why snacking frequency matters more than quantity.

✅How to Maintain Healthy pH

• Rinse with water after eating or drinking acidic substances
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing after consuming acidic foods
• Chew sugar-free xylitol gum to stimulate saliva production
• Include alkaline foods like leafy greens and nuts in your diet
• Use pH-balancing mouthwashes or treatment rinses
• Drink acidic beverages through a straw to minimize tooth contact

🍋Foods by pH Level