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93% of Beverages Are Harmful to Teeth

93% of Beverages Are Harmful to Teeth

Further Reading, Dental Erosion, Dental Erosion, Further Reading

In recent years, the consumption of soft drinks and beverages has risen dramatically. More importantly, the frequency with which children, adolescents, and young adults consume these drinks has led to an exponential increase in dental erosion.

Dental erosion is the irreversible acid dissolution of the tooth’s surface structure, occurring through chemical means without the involvement of microorganisms, and happens when the oral pH drops below 4.0.

A recent study published in the United States in The Journal of the American Dental Association evaluated the pH of 379 commercially available beverages, including sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks, sports drinks, and teas. The goal was to determine the erosive potential of these drinks, considering acidic pH as the primary factor driving dental erosion.

The study found that 93% of the beverages (354 out of 379) had a pH below 4.0.

Of these, 39% (149 out of 379) were classified as extremely erosive, 54% (205 out of 379) as erosive, and only 7% (25 out of 379) were considered minimally erosive.

Why Are Beverages Acidic?

Acids are usually added to beverages to create the so-called flavor profile, giving the drink its characteristic taste. Acids provide a tart and tangy flavor that helps balance the sweetness of the sugar in the beverage and are key factors in its overall taste.

L’acido fosforico è aggiunto alle bevande della cola per conferire asprezza, ridurre la crescita di batteri e funghi e migliorare la durata di conservazione.

Citric acid, a substance naturally present in citrus-based beverages and added to many others, imparts a sharp, tangy flavour and acts as a preservative.

Malic acid is naturally found in apples, pears, and cherries, and is added to many non-carbonated beverages — such as fruit drinks, fortified juices, sports drinks, and iced teas — to enhance their natural flavour. Malic acid is also added to artificially sweeten carbonated drinks, intensifying the taste and reducing the amount of other added flavourings. These additives give the beverage its characteristic sweet and tangy flavour.

Acidic Beverages: Watch Out for Children!

The literature has highlighted the prevalence of erosion in children (ranging from 10% to over 80%). Primary teeth are considered to be more susceptible to erosion than permanent dentition, as their enamel is thinner and less mineralised.
Acidic Mouth and Bad Breath: How to Spot, Prevent, and Treat Them

Acidic Mouth and Bad Breath: How to Spot, Prevent, and Treat Them

Acid Reflux, Further Reading, Further Reading, Acid Reflux

Without the precious contribution of saliva, the health of our mouth would be in serious jeopardy. This fluid produced by the salivary glands is of vital importance in preserving the wellbeing of the oral cavity. It keeps the mucous membranes, gums, and tongue hydrated; enables us to perceive flavours correctly; removes food residues; and above all, combats the excessive proliferation of microorganisms that naturally inhabit the mouth by maintaining a neutral oral pH.
However, when we are unable to produce sufficient saliva, our mouth may be deprived of its buffering capacity, leading to an increase in acidity. This situation can give rise to a number of unpleasant — or even potentially harmful — conditions.

An oral cavity with an excessively low — and therefore acidic — pH represents a risk not only for the teeth, which undergo demineralisation and become more sensitive and fragile, but also for the gums and oral mucosa. In the presence of an acidic pH, the microorganisms responsible for conditions such as cavities, mouth ulcers, and fungal infections proliferate rapidly.

What Happens When the Mouth Becomes Acidic

One of the symptoms to look out for is easy to recognise. Bad breath, or halitosis, is among the first signs of an imbalance in oral pH. It is a condition that can be a source of embarrassment, but fortunately it is often resolvable. In the case of oral acidity, this unpleasant discomfort is caused by bacterial proliferation. These microorganisms feed on sugars and carbohydrates, and their waste products are rich in acidic substances, which further acidify the environment. Reduced saliva production implies a diminished effectiveness in its buffering role — and therefore in controlling the bacterial population — which, growing unchecked, can expose us to the risk of cavities.

This is another danger to contend with when oral pH drops too low. Our teeth are covered by a layer composed of an extremely resistant material: enamel. Hard and robust, enamel is nonetheless sensitive to acids, which can damage its surface and compromise its protective function. A mouth with a pH below 5.5 will be sufficiently acidic to cause enamel erosion, thereby exposing the tooth to attack by harmful microorganisms. When erosion progresses to the point of thinning or perforating the enamel, the development of cavities becomes a real risk.

How to Tell If Your Oral pH Is Acidic

Some warning signs are easy to recognise: acidic saliva tends to be associated with a bitter sensation in the mouth. If the situation persists long enough, we may begin to notice an increase in dental sensitivity to both heat and cold.

The most common symptom of an acidified oral cavity, as we have seen, is halitosis caused by bacterial proliferation. This may manifest as an easily recognisable white coating on the tongue.

So, what can we do?

The Role of Diet

Maintaining a healthy pH balance in the mouth is essential to prevent the excessive proliferation of potentially harmful bacteria, while instead promoting the presence of beneficial ones — such as probiotics, which aid digestion and help protect teeth and gums. To this end, a balanced diet is of great importance in ensuring that our saliva does not become too acidic.

Certain foods – such as sugary drinks, sweets, and simple carbohydrates – can increase the acidity of the oral cavity, so they should be limited or avoided.

pH can vary dramatically depending on the foods we consume. Citrus fruits, for example, tend to lower it rapidly. Saliva can help neutralise pH through its buffering action, owing to its bicarbonate-rich chemical composition, but prolonged consumption of such foods can lead to persistent salivary acidity, with harmful effects on oral health.

How to Take Action

While paying the right attention to our diet is undoubtedly an excellent starting point for ensuring that our oral pH remains stable, it is equally important not to neglect proper oral hygiene.
Brushing after every meal — combined with flossing and oral rinse products — allows us to remove any food residues that could attract the most harmful bacteria. It also supports the buffering capacity of saliva, facilitating the return to a neutral pH.

Cariex® is an essential addition to the best daily oral hygiene routine. This muco-adhesive dental spray is designed to rebalance oral pH thanks to its formulation based on natural substances such as Bicarbonate and Xylitol. Its spray format makes it quick and easy to use — a convenient complement to the toothbrush. Thanks to its preventive action against acidosis, Cariex® serves as a first line of defence against dental erosion, halitosis, and all bacterial infections that can arise from an excessively acidic oral pH. Its rapid action restores oral pH to a neutral level immediately after use and for up to forty minutes. After this time, saliva will resume its natural role as a buffer system. Using Cariex® helps avoid pH spikes, keeping oral pH consistently neutral — and therefore our mouth consistently healthy.

Dry Mouth: Symptoms and Remedies

Dry Mouth: Symptoms and Remedies

Further Reading, Further Reading, Xerostomia, Xerostomia

Dry mouth occurs when the production of saliva is lower than usual. Highly prevalent among older adults, especially women, it affects about a quarter of the population and can lead to difficulties in speaking, altered taste perception, trouble swallowing, bad breath, increased risk of cavities, and a greater susceptibility to oral infections.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can range from a mild, temporary reduction in saliva – often triggered by stress or nervousness – to more complex conditions that compromise oral health, affecting both teeth and gums.

Dry mouth is often a symptom of various conditions that affect the salivary glands, altering their ability to produce saliva. Although no direct link between reduced saliva and aging has been firmly established, there is a clear connection between certain medications and decreased salivary flow in older adults.

Several diseases, including Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, are also associated with xerostomia. Additionally, dry mouth is commonly observed in individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In particular, radiotherapy in the head and neck region can temporarily or permanently impair salivary gland function, reducing saliva production and making it thicker.

Some medications used in cancer treatment can also cause dry mouth, including drugs for nausea, certain pain medications, and various psychotropic drugs.

Dry Mouth: An Effective Remedy

For dry mouth, Cariex®, containing bicarbonate, hyaluronic acid, and xylitol, can be an effective aid in maintaining optimal oral pH and keeping the mucous membranes well-lubricated, providing immediate relief.

Cariex® can be used repeatedly throughout the day and at night by spraying it onto the oral mucosa, with no known contraindications or side effects. It also helps prevent issues such as oral fungal infections (candidiasis) and bad breath, and by controlling acidity, it reduces the risk of cavities – particularly common in individuals with reduced saliva flow.

Cariex® serves as an effective saliva substitute and is easy to use: just three sprays whenever dryness is felt and after each meal.

Natural Remedies for Dry Mouth

Natural Remedies for Dry Mouth

Further Reading, Further Reading, Xerostomia, Xerostomia

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth properly hydrated.

What Is Xerostomia, or "Dry Mouth"?

This condition presents with a variety of unpleasant symptoms. As the name itself suggests, dry mouth manifests as an uncomfortable sensation of oral dryness. The lack of adequate lubrication may make swallowing difficult; the tongue and mucous membranes are dry, and at times the lips may also become dry and chapped. Saliva also plays an important role in taste perception: in cases of xerostomia, it is not uncommon to experience a reduced or altered sense of taste.
 
But saliva is far more than a simple lubricant: in the absence of its antibacterial activity — attributable to its unique composition — and its capacity to buffer oral pH, the oral environment may become increasingly acidic. This can have a negative impact on both hard tissues, namely the teeth, and soft tissues, namely the gums and oral mucosa.
 
When the pH becomes acidic, teeth can begin to demineralize, weakening and becoming sensitive to hot, cold, and bacterial attacks.
 
The oral mucosa, in turn, suffers from the acidic oral environment, as this condition promotes the proliferation of microorganisms. The first effect of this disproportionate growth is bad breath — but it is not the only one: without adequate saliva production, it becomes far easier to develop cavities, gum inflammation, and mucosal disorders, up to and including fungal infections such as oral candidiasis. Conversely, a neutral oral cavity is a healthy oral cavity, where microorganisms struggle to thrive.

Causes of Dry Mouth

There are many causes of dry mouth, but they all stem from insufficient activity of the salivary glands.

The most common and intuitive cause is dehydration. If you are not drinking enough fluids, consume excessive amounts of coffee (which has a diuretic effect), or engage in prolonged intense physical activity, you may need to increase your fluid intake to restore proper hydration.

Xerostomia can also appear as a secondary symptom of various medical conditions, from diabetes and leukemia to AIDS and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Certain medications can also cause dry mouth as a side effect. For example, some chemotherapy drugs – especially those used to treat head and neck cancers – can damage or destroy the salivary glands. Even more common medications, such as antihistamines or anti-inflammatories, can dry out oral mucosa; in these cases, the condition usually resolves after the treatment ends.

Poor nutrition can also affect oral lubrication. In particular, some people experience xerostomia due to vitamin deficiencies. Even if the salivary glands are functioning normally, the mucosa can still feel dry and irritated.

Natural Remedies for Dry Mouth

Xerostomia can be highly distressing. If the condition begins to affect your quality of life, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. Do not overlook this condition, however: you certainly do not want to put the health of your mouth and teeth at risk!
With a few simple adjustments, it is nonetheless possible to improve the situation: sometimes reviewing our everyday habits is sufficient to find relief, and there are numerous natural remedies available to you.

  • The first is… drink more! Water is the best ally in combating the dehydration that so often lies at the root of dry mouth. Always carrying a small bottle of water and remembering to sip it throughout the day helps turn the act of drinking into a healthy habit. However, avoid overindulging in sugary, carbonated, or highly acidic beverages (soft drinks or orange juice): sugar “feeds” the bacteria in our mouth, and the acidic component worsens the sensation of dryness. When saliva is not produced in sufficient quantities to balance oral pH and counteract microorganisms, still water is always the better choice.
  • Diet can contribute to reducing the discomfort caused by xerostomia. Do not neglect adequate intake of fruit and vegetables throughout daily meals, both to supplement fluid intake and to obtain the vitamins that our entire body — oral cavity included — requires. Vitamin C in particular is highly beneficial in helping to repair the damage caused by excessive mucosal dryness. B vitamins, on the other hand, are at the forefront of strengthening the immune system and helping to combat the microorganisms that may proliferate in the mouth.
  • Spices like cayenne pepper can stimulate salivary glands when sprinkled on food or directly on the tongue.
  • Fennel seeds, rich in flavonoids, and cardamom, in addition to promoting lubrication of the oral cavity, help combat bad breath. You can try adding them to your dishes, chewing them between meals, or steeping them to prepare a herbal infusion to sip — adding the further benefit of increased fluid intake!
  • Avoid harmful habits. Smoking and alcohol consumption are major contributors to dry mouth.
  • Immediate relief can also come from rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwashes or using products designed to repair oral tissues, neutralize acidity, and refresh a mouth affected by xerostomia.

Cariex® in particular, thanks to its composition closely resembling that of saliva, the powerful buffering capacity of its bicarbonate content, and its rapid action, is a valuable ally in moisturising the oral cavity — immediately alleviating the discomfort caused by xerostomia — and in promptly restoring oral pH. In this way, beyond instant relief, we can also address the medium and long-term damage caused by oral acidity associated with xerostomia.

Gastroesophageal Reflux: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

Gastroesophageal Reflux: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

Acid Reflux, Cavities, Further Reading

Gastroesophageal reflux refers to the condition in which stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

In healthy individuals, a small amount of liquid or gas reflux can occur after meals and during the first three hours afterward. This type of reflux is usually mild, slightly acidic, brief, and often barely noticeable.

When reflux becomes more frequent and is accompanied by symptoms, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Gastroesophageal Reflux: When Does It Occur?

Gastroesophageal reflux affects men and women equally and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50, with prevalence increasing with age. In Italy, approximately one in three people is affected by this condition. Reflux is also common in pregnant women and newborns.

When reflux progresses to disease, it can permanently damage the teeth. The material that flows back into the esophagus is largely composed of hydrochloric acid – one of the most corrosive and irritating acids (pH 1).

Consequences of Gastroesophageal Reflux

Unlike the stomach, whose walls are biologically designed to withstand strong acid, the mucosa and teeth cannot tolerate continuous acid exposure, which over time causes serious structural damage.

Chronic GERD patients often have teeth that appear gray-yellow-brown due to irreversible enamel loss. The tooth color changes because acid erosion from the stomach dissolves the enamel, exposing the dentin underneath, which is naturally yellowish and less translucent.

Beyond aesthetic concerns, exposed dentin causes dentin hypersensitivity to thermal stimuli (hot and cold). The acidic environment also significantly increases the risk of cavities.

A Remedy for Gastroesophageal Reflux

Using Cariex® whenever gastroesophageal reflux occurs helps immediately neutralize the corrosive action of stomach acid, thanks to the buffering effect of bicarbonate, thereby protecting the teeth.
 
Because the refluxed material is highly acidic, it is recommended to increase the dosage of Cariex® (6/7 sprays) and to swallow the saliva along with the excess product. This allows the bicarbonate’s buffering effect to also act on the mucous membranes of the throat and esophagus, providing immediate relief and eliminating the burning sensation.
Oral Thrush: Recognising It to Treat It

Oral Thrush: Recognising It to Treat It

Further Reading, Further Reading, Oral Thrush, Oral Thrush

The end of the holidays, the return to school, and the change of season are all factors that can trigger stress — and with it, an unwelcome visitor: oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis.

Candida albicans, the microorganism responsible for this infection, is naturally present in our mouth, on our skin, and on our mucous membranes. Under normal conditions, our body is able to maintain a balance that prevents Candida from proliferating.
Stress, changes in lifestyle, and certain illnesses are among the many factors that can disrupt this balance, leading to an overgrowth of this unwanted organism and the consequent development of oral thrush.

Oral Thrush: What Is It?

Oral thrush is a fungal infection particularly prevalent in children and infants. However, it can affect anyone, with the most vulnerable age groups being infants under six months and the elderly, due to an immune system that may not function optimally. Additionally, individuals in these age groups may experience suboptimal saliva production. The salivary glands simply do not produce enough; in the absence of an adequate quantity of saliva, the buffering capacity it exerts within the oral cavity may be compromised. As a result, the mouth frequently finds itself in an acidic pH state: in addition to damaging and demineralising teeth, this condition creates the perfect environment for the proliferation of harmful microorganisms… including Candida albicans!
A correct oral pH is the first line of defence against fungal infections such as oral thrush.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of oral thrush are usually unmistakable. The unequivocal sign of an ongoing infection is the presence of whitish patches in the oral cavity — on the inner lining of the cheeks, the palate, the gums, and the tongue. In the case of very young infants who are still breastfed, there is a risk of confusing these small patches with milk residue: take care not to scrape them off! The removal of oral thrush plaques can in fact be painful and lead to bleeding, thereby worsening the sensation of discomfort.

In severe cases, the infection can spread beyond the back of the throat, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.

While oral thrush is not inherently dangerous, it should be treated promptly and carefully to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.

The diagnosis of oral thrush is usually straightforward. A dentist or general practitioner is able to identify the presence of the infection through a quick examination of the oral cavity. On occasion, however, it may be necessary to take a small sample from one of the patches for further laboratory testing, in order to dispel any remaining doubt.

Prevention

Although oral thrush is common, it can be prevented through simple practices aimed at maintaining oral health and preserving the balance of the oral microbiome. These habits are also helpful during an active infection, as they can support faster recovery.

Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent many oral infections, including candidiasis. Brushing three times a day and using dental floss correctly should become daily habits. Brushing after every meal removes food residues and promptly restores oral pH to a neutral level, preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Scheduling regular check-ups with your dentist is also important, even when teeth are healthy: professional cleaning should be carried out every six months. However, care should be taken with the products used: certain oral hygiene products, such as aggressive mouthwashes containing alcohol or antibacterial agents, should be used judiciously. Excessive frequency of use can in fact damage the health of the oral mucosa, potentially leading to the development of infections — both bacterial and fungal — such as oral candidiasis.

Oral health reflects overall body health. Conditions such as diabetes can disrupt the body’s microbial balance, which may increase susceptibility to oral thrush. Managing these underlying health issues is important for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Treatment

Oral thrush is treatable, and in otherwise healthy individuals, it usually responds well to therapy. In patients with compromised immune systems – such as those with HIV or undergoing certain cancer treatments – the infection may be more challenging to eliminate.

A healthcare professional should be consulted to prescribe the appropriate antifungal medication, typically taken for several days up to a couple of weeks.

Diet plays a primary role in the management of oral thrush. Candida is a fungus that thrives by feeding on sugars. A diet low in sweets — as well as in particularly sugary fruits — with a limited intake of simple carbohydrates, can help reduce the proliferation of the microorganism and promote faster recovery. When returning to school, therefore, it is best to opt for healthy snacks. No chocolate, sweets, or packaged snack foods. Wholegrain products and fibre are the way to go, and for fruit, an apple — preferably green — is the ideal choice.

Alongside pharmacological therapy, it is also possible — always following consultation with your doctor — to turn to certain therapeutic supplements to alleviate discomfort and reduce distress. Proper oral hygiene is the foundation of every healthy mouth, and Cariex® is a valuable addition to facilitate recovery from oral thrush. Just a few sprays of this dental spray are sufficient to rapidly restore a neutral oral pH, limiting the growth of Candida; its formulation is specifically designed to adhere to the oral mucosa and provide immediate relief, even in very young children.