pH Testing in Petaluma, CA

pH, or potential Hydrogen in full, is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH measurement scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 1 being extremely acidic and 14 being highly alkaline. Right in the middle is 7, which is neutral and, as such, neither acidic nor alkaline. Most water measures 7 on the pH scale, with some bottled water ranking lower.

Just as your body’s pH impacts your overall well-being, the pH in your mouth affects your dental health. If your oral cavity has a pH of 5.5 and below and is thus acidic, you are at an increased risk for cavities and gum disease. At 5.5 and below, your teeth begin to lose the minerals in the enamel, a process known as demineralization, thus increasing your susceptibility to cavities. A lower pH also encourages the growth and proliferation of harmful cavity-causing bacteria, which further exacerbates your dental issues.

To ensure continued dental health, you must ensure that your oral pH stays above 5.5.

pH testing in Petaluma, CA, enables you to get the facts and numbers regarding your mouth’s alkalinity or acidity. Using this information, you can embark on making changes and choices in your diet and lifestyle to positively influence your dental well-being.

What to Expect

Oral pH testing in Petaluma, CA, is a painless and straightforward procedure. Our dentist will begin by examining you to check for visible signs of concern. After that, our dentist uses a pH test strip which indicates where you fall on the pH scale. The strip is placed in your mouth, in contact with your saliva, after which it changes color accordingly to indicate acidity or alkalinity.

Please note that you can also perform your pH testing at home using store-bought test strips. The advantage of getting tested by our dentist near you is that you can get started on crucial interventions right away.

You don’t need much preparation before testing your pH. However, it’s essential to wait at least two hours after your last meal, as recently-consumed food and drinks can lead to false results during pH testing.

Why is pH Testing Essential?

pH testing near you allows the dentist, and yourself, to determine whether you’re a high-risk candidate for cavities and other dental problems. If it turns out that your mouth is highly acidic, you can take interventions to balance the pH to neutral or even cross over to the alkaline side of the scale.

Here are some ways to move your pH score from acidic to alkaline without significantly interrupting your diet or lifestyle:

• Cut back on sugary drinks. If you must have a drink, follow it up with a glass of water. Remember not to sip a sugary drink over an extended period as this increases your exposure to cavity-causing acidity.
• Counteract the acidity of black coffee by adding dairy.
• Don’t brush your teeth immediately after consuming highly acidic foods or beverages. Acids soften tooth enamel, and brushing soon after an acidic meal can be damaging to your teeth.
• Chew sugarless gum to encourage saliva production as this balances pH. Preferably, go for sugarless gum that contains xylitol.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day and night.

Are you interested in pH testing near you? Would you like to receive guidance on all matters of oral pH from an experienced dental professional? Contact Petaluma Dental Group today.