–Just as regular care improves the health of your teeth, so it does for your garden. There is an additional rarely discussed healthy secret for both, and that is the proper pH balance. “The pH balance for a healthy mouth is slightly alkaline to neutral, between 6.2 and 7.4,” says Dr. Douglas Ng, D.D.S. from San Luis Obispo Family Dentistry. “Most gardens flourish with a pH balance between 6.2 and 6.8.”

Of course, there are differences between oral health practices and gardening. The common thread is proper and attentive care to help maintain the best possible pH balance. In some ways, maintaining a healthy garden is less complex than maintaining oral health. A soil testing kit reveals the pH balance of the garden’s soil, and then applying the proper soil additive brings everything back to the correct pH level. Some plants thrive in alkaline soil, others need acidic soil.

Long-term acidic pH in the mouth can contribute to weakened tooth enamel, setting up an environment for cavities, stains, and allowing harmful bacteria to thrive. This doesn’t mean we should avoid acidic foods. Most are necessary for overall health.

While the pH balance of garden soil can be adjusted and maintained with soil additives a few times a year, maintaining the human oral pH balance is at least a twice-daily activity. “So, we need to brush, floss, rinse daily, and get our dental checkups regularly,” says the San Luis Obispo dentist.

The foods and beverages that contribute to an acidic pH balance include:

• Citrus, including the fruit and juice from lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit.
• Carbonated drinks. Sodas, energy drinks, and sparkling waters are heavily acidic due to carbonic acid and citric or phosphoric acid.
• Tomatoes, tomato sauces, salsa, and favorite tomato-sauce intense foods like pizza and spaghetti.
• Wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages.
• Coffee and black tea contain naturally occurring tannic acids.
• Fermented and pickled foods.
• Sugary foods and beverages.

“Enjoy your favorite food and drink. Just be sure to brush, or at least rinse your mouth after consuming acidic food,” reports the San Luis Obispo dentist.

• Be sure to get regular dental checkups.
• Call the dentist if you discover a cavity or damage to a tooth.
• Brushing the tongue is also helpful.
• Carry disposable toothbrushes and floss.
• Water your garden!

San Luis Obispo Family Dentistry is located at 862 Meinecke Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, (805) 544-1246.