Oral pH

The body has a wide variety of different measurements of pH—reflecting the acid-alkaline balance. The digestive tract has the whole spectrum, beginning with the alkaline oral cavity (pH 7.6), the normally acid stomach (3), an alkaline small intestine (around 8), and a slightly acid colon (around 6.5). A pH of 7 is neutral.

The pH of the saliva, normally around 7.6, is easy to measure at home, while certain health-care practitioners may wish to test the pH of other areas, such as urine, sinuses, or stool. Use pH paper, available in drug and health stores and easily found on the Internet, with a testing range from 5 to 8. Moisten a small strip of pH paper by inserting it into your mouth for at least five seconds. Don’t consume any food or drink for about ten minutes before testing. To find the pH, compare your test paper to the color-coded scale on the pH dispenser. A pH of about 7.6 will turn the test paper a dark blue.

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Oral pH may be a good general indicator of fat burning. If you have good fat metabolism, pH will be normal. If you need essential fats, the pH will be too low. It’s not unusual to see people with fat metabolism problems have an oral pH of 6.0, or even 5.5. If the dietary fats are increased in the proper proportion, the oral pH will eventually rise to its normal 7.6. In addition, too much carbohydrate in the diet can reduce fat burning, and oral pH. Rarely will the oral pH go above 8. If it does, it may be an indication of local infection in the mouth or throat. Diabetics may also have an abnormally high oral pH.

A normal oral pH is also an ideal environment to protect against dental cavities. A bedtime pH above 7 offers this protection, while an acid pH is accompanied by a high incidence of tooth decay. Test children regularly—their oral pH is just slightly higher than adults, around 7.8. Avoid fruit juice, refined carbohydrates, and other acidifying foods to prevent the pH from becoming too acid. (While milk is alkaline, it eventually turns the mouth very acid due to its high content of the sugar lactose.) Many types of toothpaste also lower the oral pH! Check pH after brushing. In adults, a low pH often predisposes you to other tooth and gum problems, including gingivitis.