pH testing is an important marker in using good nutrition for better dental health. pH is a measure of how acid or alkaline a liquid is. The pH of our oral saliva can be an indicator of our oral and overall health. An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients.
The primary cause of an overly acidic internal environment comes from dietary factors. In the West especially, our diets are extremely acidic. The typical American pH is far too acidic. This is why we see a substantial amount of chronic degenerative diseases and tooth decay. Ensuring body pH is balanced helps to maintain strong and healthy teeth, optimal oral and overall health and the prevention of chronic degenerative disease and pain. For more information on the relationship of pH and tooth decay, please see this paper titled “Dental Caries: A pH Mediated Disease” from the California Dental Hygienists’ Association.
We use PH strips which allow us to painlessly test your saliva and see the results in 15 seconds or less.
Some of the health problems associated with over-acidity are:
• Tooth decay and oral health deterioration
• Cardiovascular damage
• Weight gain, obesity and diabetes
• Bladder and kidney problems
• Immune deficiency
• Premature aging
• Osteoporosis, weak brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs
• Joint pain and aching muscles
• Low energy and chronic fatigue
• Slow and inefficient digestion and elimination
Your Dental Health hygienist can use a simple test strip to test your saliva. Once your pH is determined, the expert nutrition staff of our Coda Health Kitchen is available to make recommendations to improve your dental health through diet and nutrition.
