Let’s face it: Some of the most delicious and frequently consumed beverages are often some of the most damaging to the teeth.
If you start your morning with coffee, end the evening with red wine, and have some “healthy” kombucha or tea during the day, you are creating multiple opportunities for enamel erosion due to the high acid content of those beverages.
In addition to causing the breakdown of enamel, making them more susceptible to decay, an acidic environment allows bacteria to flourish. These bacteria then contribute to a host of dental and oral health issues, including bad breath, gingivitis, and, of course, the formation of cavities.
I recommend minimizing your consumption of acidic drinks as much as possible, but you don’t have to give them up for good. You just need to counteract the acid from the foods and drinks you consume.
While optimal pH for the blood is 7.4, the saliva should be around 7.1. It’s slightly more acidic to begin the digestive process. However, acidic foods and drinks will drive the acidity of your saliva to a level that actually begins to contribute to the issues I mentioned above.
One of the best ways to minimize the acidic effects of coffee, wine, and other substances is to rinse with water after consumption. But I developed this recipe as an even better alternative.
In addition to neutralizing the acid from popular drinks, this mouth rinse will actually help to rebalance the pH of the mouth, creating a more alkaline environment that supports a healthy, well-balanced microbiome.
The star ingredients of this recipe are algae, a natural alkalizer that also moisturizes the mouth, and baking soda, which also works to neutralize acid in the mouth.
Whip up this easy recipe and be sure to keep some handy for a quick rinse after consuming acidic foods and drinks!
[tasty-recipe id=”19019″]