Alkaline Water’s Effect on Your Oral Health

Did you know there are other ways to prevent cavities beyond regular brushing, rinsing and visiting your dentist? The liquids you drink and the food you eat have a major impact on the health of your teeth and your mouth as a whole.

Coffee, tea, soda, wine, juice and carb-rich foods can throw off your body’s pH levels, which can have an effect on the health of your mouth. While avoiding these foods as much as possible is one way to improve your oral health, incorporating alkaline water into your diet can provide significant benefits.

What is alkaline water?

All water (and liquids in general), have a pH level that determines how acidic or alkaline it is, and pH values range from 0 to 14. Alkaline water is water that’s on the higher end of the pH scale.

• A pH of 7 is neutral
• Numbers lower than 7 are acidic
• Numbers above 7 are alkaline

Tap water throughout the United States generally falls in the 5-7 pH range, which would make it slightly acidic. Alkaline water, on the other hand, is said to offer increased hydrogen and greater hydration than regular water.

How pH affects your oral microbiome

Acidic saliva, or saliva with a low pH, typically causes dental problems. The acidity in the saliva itself has the potential to erode enamel, contribute to decay, and destroy your teeth. In general, enamel erosion starts when saliva has a pH of 5.5 or less.

If you’re a person who takes excellent care of your teeth and you’re still prone to cavities, gum sensitivity or gum recession, the cause of these problems might be the acidity of your saliva. Consider brushing with alkaline water and avoid acidic drinks as much as possible – it could make a big difference in your overall oral health.

How do you make alkaline water?

While you can purchase alkaline water from grocery stores, specialty stores and health food markets and you can make it yourself. There are plenty of alkaline water additives, including pH drops, that you can add to bottled water or tap water to alkalize it.

Another option is to add a sprinkle of baking soda to alkalize your water. Simply mix 1/8 tablespoon of baking soda into 8 fluid ounces of purified water. Be sure to mix it thoroughly and remember that baking soda is high in sodium, so this may not be the best option if you’re watching your salt intake.

The most convenient way to get on-demand alkaline water is to buy a water ionizer for your home – although it’s certainly not the best option for your wallet.

Alkaline water is a popular natural remedy

If you’ve been keeping up with your oral hygiene and still develop cavities or sensitive guns, alkaline water might be the solution you’re looking for. Adding alkaline water to your brushing routine, or even rinsing with it, can provide benefits for your oral health. Both you and your dentist will notice the difference.