WHAT IS AN ALKALINE DIET?

You might be familiar with this term thanks to high school science (who would’ve thought), but the phrase and concept ‘alkaline’ actually continue to play some relevance in your lifestyle today. Everything around us, including the food we eat, is made up of some level of acidic and alkaline on the pH scale from 0-14. More and more people are talking these days about the detrimental effects of a highly acidic diet - fostering a breeding ground for bacteria, disease and decay - and how the alkaline diet might be the key to combating a plethora of health problems.

Our body’s being the magical vessel that they are, have natural processes in place to counterbalance pH, but you can relieve stress on these systems by eating more alkaline foods; supporting your internal organs and optimising the function of your body whilst doing so.

Just to make your life a little harder though, it’s important to note that produce you’d suspect to be acidic sometimes prove otherwise in the digestion phase. Citrus, for example, is very bitter and has an immediate impact on our mouths - taste buds and enamel - but once broken down is actually found to be more alkaline in nature.

Broadly speaking, alkaline foods are raw and unprocessed. Think fresh leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, borderline vegan if that gives you a clearer indication. The more colour on your plate the better you will feel, but like any new health regime I recommend consulting with a trusted health professional to receive the most tailored advice for you and your wellness journey.

BENEFITS OF AN ALKALINE DIET FOR ORAL HEALTH

One part of the body often overlooked when it comes to discussing benefits of the alkaline diet, is the mouth. Consuming food and drink with a lower/acidic pH can have a negative effect on our oral health before we even get to swallowing. Acidic diets allow oral disease such as dental decay and gum disease to progress more rapidly and disturb our oral microbiome (a diverse ecosystem of good bacteria working to keep our mouths and gut healthy). Our saliva is also on the alkaline side and works tirelessly as a buffering system to stabilise the oral pH to neutral protecting the wear and tear of tooth enamel to preserve your pearly whites.

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF ORAL HEALTH

A healthy mouth is a great asset. Period. Teeth play such an important role in our lives, helping to chew and digest food (even more so when our teeth are straight, which is one of the many reasons we’re seeing so many individuals invest in convenient correction with clear aligner therapy, such as Invisalign or Byte clear dental retainers), helping us to talk and speak clearly, and bringing shape to our faces when we flash that confident smile. More dramatically speaking, gum disease has the potential to raise your risk to several other harmful diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. It’s difficult to conceive that a healthy smile can do so much more for our overall wellness.

An unexpected read? Didn’t think you’d land in the world of dental care after entering that diet chat? Alkaline eating might just be the answer (read: healthy lifestyle shift) you were after.

Disclaimer: this article is a review of current available evidence and does not constitute for health advice. Health advice for Australians can be viewed here https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines

ABOUT DR SASKIA SALVESTRO

Dr. Saskia Salvestro currently practices in her hometown of Wagga Wagga and in aesthetic dentistry, including clear aligners. Dr. Saskia is also an academic and clinical supervisor to dental students at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

Dr. Saskia is a member of the Australasian Academy of Dentofacial Aesthetics (AADFA), the International Academy of Aesthetics in Beverly Hills CA (IAA), the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and the Australian Dental Association, keeping up with the latest evidence-based treatment options for patients. She is also a board member and contributor of Dental Health Australia (DHA) promoting dental health and the development of content for a dental education app called Cinch.

Find out more on her instagram socials @dr.saskiaruby

ABOUT BYTE AUSTRALIA

Byte is an Australian, dentist-reviewed at-home invisible alignment treatment, making oral wellness accessible for Australians, while achieving aligned teeth from the comfort of home. Innovating the way people approach oral care, Byte provides Australians with access to faster and more affordable treatment compared to other traditional methods. Byte has found a way to make a relatively inaccessible treatment accessible to Australians, anywhere. This provides an easy, convenient and affordable way to achieve a straighter and whiter smile.