Your body is made up of billions of cells that make up different organs, arranged in systems that form the one whole “you”.

Ninety per cent of the living cells in and on our bodies are not human cells, they’re bacteria, fungus and microbes. Some are good and some are bad for us. Balancing that ratio is critical to our health.

A vital factor in the health process (homeostasis) is pH or acid/alkaline balance. pH is potential for Hydrogen+, the smallest known ion. It has a scale of 0 to 14.

Water is neutral at pH 7. All body fluids, like blood, urine, saliva etc. are designed to be around neutral (pH 6.8-7.4). The exceptions are stomach acid and its opposite: pancreatic secretion, which is alkaline.

The stomach is the only organ that is designed to withstand strong acid (pH 1). That acid is made to dissolve food, meat, bone pieces etc. If it leaks out, without control and neutralizing, it will damage other organs, such as the  bowel and oesophageous and teeth erosion and wear. Excess acid is dangerous.

Our cells naturally produce lactic acid, as a waste product of metabolism and the body knows how to neutralize this. Bad bacteria and fungus produce a lot of acid, love living in acid (pus is highly acidic) and don’t like oxygen (this is THE OPPOSITE of our oxygen and neutral pH loving cells). Our bodies constantly “neutralize” these acids with buffers like calcium, bicarbonate and other minerals. Depleting these buffers is not good, if you want to stay healthy.

Research has shown that most infectious and degenerative diseases (like arthritis, gout, diabetes) are related to increased acidity in the body over a time period. Infections run wild in acidic environments. So it pays to help your body keep its neutral state by consuming less acidic foods and drinks, increasing your consumption of alkaline foods, water and minerals and keeping the bad bugs as low as you can.

As I mentioned in past blogs, whatever goes on inside or goes into your mouth affects your whole wellbeing. When your body is too acidic and blood buffers are depleted, it has to find a source of mineral to take calcium from to neutralize that acid. The richest sources of calcium and mineral are teeth and bones. So they dissolve. Osteoporosis and tooth decay and erosion are directly related to excess acid.

Saliva (an extract of blood) is full of minerals and buffers to neutralize acids that come from food, drinks and bad bacteria in the mouth.  When that acid is too much for saliva to deal with, things go terribly wrong. Some people have little saliva (dry mouth) or poor saliva (not enough mineral buffering) and that can be detrimental to their oral health. Even “normal” acid amounts will cause them erosion and decay.

What increases acid in the mouth?

1.    Frequent sipping of fizzy drinks (diet included), sports & energy drinks, flavored waters (vitamin water and sports water!) and fruit juice.

2.    Alcohol (drinking it or rinsing with alcohol containing mouthwash).

3.    Excessive nibbling on fruits (vegetables are good).

4.    Adding lemon to your drinking water and sipping it all day.

5.    Bacteria in your mouth ferment sugar to produce acid. Sugar and carbohydrates give them great breeding grounds.

6.    Dry mouth due to age, drugs and medications, alcohol use, excessive caffeine or low water intake.

7.    Smoking.

How can you make your mouth (and body) more alkaline?

1.    Moderate the above factors (and eliminate as many as you can).

2.    Eat less sugary foods, honey and fruits and more vegetables and fish, especially the green kind. Leafy vegetables and herbs, chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass etc. are high in alkaline, low in fermentable sugars and calories and have lots of water.

3.    A bite of cheese after an acid exposure will neutralize acid in the mouth. But watch the quality and quantity of cheese you eat to avoid excess fat.

4.    Reduce the bad bacteria count in your mouth by brushing and flossing properly and regularly. Finding a good dentist/hygienist who understands health is critical. They’re not all the same.

5.    Use Baking soda (teaspoon in a glass of water) or hydrogen peroxide (1.5 per cent) is a cheap and easy mouthwash. Avoid acidic, coloured mouthwashes from the supermarket. Stronger alcohol free, alkaline and colorless mouthwashes can be purchased through a few expert dental clinics and pharmacies.

Contact us through our website www.lasersmile.co.nz if you need some.

Remember the core message, It’s all about risk management. Excess is the problem while moderation is the key.