A White Wedding: Dental Advice for Brides-to-Be

« Back to Home

How to Reduce the Acidity of Your Saliva

Posted on

Healthy saliva should have a pH of around seven. Saliva with a pH below seven will begin to become acidic rather than alkaline. The more acidic your saliva is, the more likely that you will suffer from cavities, as acidic saliva leads to the demineralization of tooth enamel. Cavities invite tooth decay. This is why you need to strive to keep your saliva at a healthy pH level.

If you are having problems with cavities and enamel demineralization, then your diet may be too acidic. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can rebalance the pH of your saliva and strengthen your defences against cavity formation.

Eat fruits rich in potassium

Potassium can help to rebalance the pH of your saliva. Include fruits like bananas, tomatoes, apricots and oranges in your daily diet to increase your potassium levels.

Chew foods that stimulate saliva production

The more you chew, the more you stimulate saliva production. Saliva is a great acid neutralizer so the more of it you have, the less acidic your mouth will be. Chew foods that make you chew more like broccoli, celery and carrots.

Eat vegetables that are more alkaline

Some vegetables are very alkaline. Eating these vegetables will help you to rebalance the pH of your saliva. Vegetables like spinach, red bell peppers, kale and asparagus are alkaline so try to eat more of these.

Incorporate milk and cheese into your diet

Calcium and phosphorous can help to reduce the acidity of your saliva by breaking some of the acids down after you eat or drink something acidic. For instance, after you drink a glass of white wine, chew on a cube of cheese to neutralize the acids in that wine.

Drink more water

Water is alkaline with a pH of about seven, although not all water is equal in this respect. Because of this, if you ensure that you drink water regularly, you can gradually rebalance the pH of your saliva, especially if your diet is rich in acidic foods and drinks.

You can also reduce the acidity of your saliva by reducing your intake of things like alcohol, coffee and soft drinks. But if that isn't possible right now, then these measures should help to counteract the effects of those types of food and drink. And if you notice that your teeth are still developing white spots and cavities, then seek the advice of your dentist before tooth decay sets in.  


Share