Why pH Matters for Your Teeth

The pH level in your mouth determines whether your teeth stay healthy or begin to break down. Around 7 is normal, but below 5.5 enamel starts to erode. When pH drops under 5.5, cavities form because bacteria like Streptococcus mutans convert sugar into acid, lowering pH to 4 or less within minutes. If it remains low—such as after consuming soda with a pH of 2.5—calcium leaks out, enamel softens, and cavities develop. Saliva naturally protects your teeth and should maintain a pH of 6.8–7.4 for oral health. Store-bought products that are not pH-balanced can exacerbate issues.

A 2021 Clinical Oral Investigations study shows low-pH mouthwashes erode enamel 30% faster over ten years. Foods like soda or candy keep pH low too. Dentists often don’t emphasize nutrition education since their curriculum includes only around 10 hours on the subject—they are trained to drill and fill rather than educate and prevent decay.

Mouthwash pH: What You’re Using

Here are the pH levels for popular mouthwashes based on 2023 Oral Health data:

• Listerine Total Care: 4.2

• Scope Classic: 4.8

• Colgate Plax: 5.1

• ACT Anticavity: 6.0

• Crest Pro-Health: 6.3

• TheraBreath Fresh Breath: 6.7

• Biotène Dry Mouth: 6.8

• Tom’s of Maine Natural: 6.9

• Simply Silver Mouthwash (Spearmint): 8+

Using Listerine with a pH of 4.2 can double enamel loss over a decade, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association. Despite its origins as a floor cleaner, Listerine remains the top-selling mouthwash with over $350 million in sales—even though it’s harsh on oral tissues and highly acidic to teeth.

For better results, choose pH-balanced formulas like Simply Silver Spearmint (pH >8), which alkalizes saliva and aids remineralization—2023 Oral Health shows higher pH levels help prevent cavities.

RDA: Toothpaste Grit Explained

RDA stands for Relative Dentin Abrasivity—it measures how much toothpaste wears dentin compared to a base value of 100. Anything under 70 is considered low abrasive by the ADA; up to 250 is safe but anything above 75 accumulates damage over time.

Here are RDA values for popular toothpastes (2023 Dental Materials data):

• Colgate Total: 70

• Crest Pro-Health: 90

• Simply Silver Toothpaste (Mint): 31

• Simply Silver Toothpaste (Spearmint): 32

• Tom’s of Maine Natural: 49

• Sensodyne Pronamel: 35

• Arm & Hammer Advance White: 117

• Colgate Optic White: 120

• Crest 3D White Brilliance: 150

Simply Silver’s RDA values of 31–32 are low—ideal for long-term use per the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Crest 3D’s RDA of 150 cuts dentin by up to 20% over ten years (Dental Clinics, 2023). High-RDA products can damage veneers or crowns; low-RDA options preserve porcelain surfaces better.

Avoid charcoal or clay-based products due to their abrasiveness—2019 lawsuits against HELLO Charcoal Toothpaste revealed extreme wear and sensitivity risks.

Recipes: Better Than Sugar

Small changes make a big difference! Swap sugary snacks with healthier options that don’t compromise taste:

• Date Fudge: Blend pitted dates (1 container), almond butter (1 cup), coconut oil (½ cup), cocoa powder (¼ cup). Freeze and cut—pH: ~6.5. This is my favorite recipe, and I always keep it on hand at home.

• Coconut Almond Bites: Combine coconut flakes (1 cup), almond flour (½ cup), coconut oil (¼ cup), stevia (pinch). Freeze—pH: ~7.

• Chia Pudding: Soak chia seeds (¼ cup) in almond milk (1 cup), add vanilla extract—pH: ~6.8; reduces swelling by ~20%.

Dentists rarely discuss food fixes—they profit from repairs instead!

Take Control

Understanding the root causes of cavities is vital for prevention. Keep your mouth moist, avoid dry mouth, stay hydrated, and optimize vitamin D3 with K2 intake (2,000 IU daily)—this reduces cavity risk by up to ~35%. Remember, a healthy mouth equals a healthy body