What makes a mouth acidic?
Your mouth can become acidic for a number of reasons: from acidic foods or drinks in the diet, from mineral-deficient body chemistry, hormonal disturbances, and from acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. When you consume beverages such as orange juice, apple juice, sports drinks or soda your teeth will be exposed and damaged by their acidity. This is why a glass of wine, coffee, soda or beer before brushing teeth can lead to tooth brush damage (abrasion). Citrus fruits (eaten fresh or as wedges in drinks) will make your mouth acidic and can cause teeth to become weak, thin, sensitive or brittle. Unbalanced body chemistry can make saliva become acidic. Aging, hormonal change (puberty, monthly cycles, menopause, and pregnancy) acid reflux or stress can create an acidic mouth. Unhealthy plaque bacteria produce acids. If plaque builds up, it may acidify the whole mouth. Sugars and carbohydrates in the diet provide energy to acid-producing bacteria, allowing them to grow, multiply and produ