Question

HOW IS TOOTH DECAY RELATED TO Ph? HOW CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

Answer 1

tooth decay start when the pH of the mouth is lower than 5.5 bacteria present in the mouth produce acid by degradation of sugar and food particles remaining in the mouth after eating.

this can be prevented by cleaning the mouth and teeth using toothpastes which are generally basic and can neutralize the excess acid.

Answer 2

Ncert textbook science page27

Tooth decay charts when the pH of the mouth is lower than 5.5. tooth enamel is made up of calcium hydroxyapatite which is the hard substance in the body and does not dissolve in water, but is corroded when the PH in the mouth is below bacteria present in the mouth produce acids by degradation of sugar and food particles remaining in thebacteria present in the mouth produce acids by degradation of sugar and food particles remaining in the mouth after eating.

The best way to prevent this is to clean the mouth after eating food.using toothpaste which are generally basic for cleaning the teeth can neutralise the excess acid and prevent tooth decay.