ph-saliva testing

Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates from the diet, and convert these via fermentation into organic acids. Production of these acids can affect the tooth surface. When the ph value of the saliva drops to 5.5 or lower, demineralization of the tooth surface (enamel) will commence. Healthy saliva can neutralize acids produced by dental plaque, restoring the ph level to neutral, which promotes remineralization of the demineralized enamel surface. This process occurs many times each day, especially after food intake. The purpose of the saliva test is to check the protective properties of resting and stimulated saliva.