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How the pH levels of your saliva impact your oral health

istock 1034931478 Did you know that saliva is critical to ensuring good oral health? Many patients in the area of Phoenix, Arizona are unaware of the role saliva plays in keeping the smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. John Pappas and his team at Arcadia Dental Arts are pleased to educate new and established patients regarding the ways in which their saliva impacts the smile, including the pH levels.

What is saliva and why is it important?

Saliva is the liquid that is produced in the mouth. Each day, patients will produce up to four pints of saliva. While this might seem relatively excessive, it is key to ensuring good oral health and wellness. This is because saliva works in different ways to protect and build up the smile to keep it clean and healthy. Below are just a  few of the reasons why saliva is important:

  • It builds and maintains both hard and soft tissues in the mouth
  • It helps in moistening and breaking down food to make it easier to swallow
  • It enhances one’s ability to taste their foods and beverages
  • It keeps the surface of the teeth strong with phosphate, fluoride, and calcium
  • It provides substances that can fight disease, oral infections, and tooth decay

How does the pH level of saliva affect my smile?

Low or acidic levels of pH can cause the teeth to become demineralized. This is the dissolving of natural tooth enamel. Additionally, lower levels can also contribute to bacterial growth that can develop into more serious situations such as infection and inflammation, increasing one’s chance of periodontitis significantly. Patients can keep their pH levels neutral by increasing salivary flow with chewing sugar free gum, snacking on crunchy vegetables, and replacing sugary beverages with water after eating to wash away food particles and debris.

Interested in educating yourself further on good oral health habits?

Dr. John Pappas and his team of professionals in Phoenix, Arizona work hard to provide patients with the information they need to achieve and maintain good oral health and wellness. If you are located in the community and have considered the benefits of routine and preventative dental appointments, we welcome you to our facility at 4124 North 40th Street. We are open to new and established patients who contact our practice at (602) 957-9643 to request a consultation appointment and initial evaluation with Dr. John Pappas of Arcadia Dental Arts.

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