What if some of your most “healthy” choices for gut health are quietly eroding your teeth?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and co-host Tami build on Episodes 26 and 27 to explain why pH alone does not tell the full story. They explore fermented dairy (yogurt, buttermilk, fermented milks), kombucha, and prebiotic cultures like lactobacilli, plus how timing, sipping habits, and formulation choices can increase risks for erosion and caries. The conversation also expands into restorative dentistry, including a 2024 study comparing two “compomer” materials (including the sparkly kid-friendly option) and how different liquids can change surface roughness over time.

Key Topics Covered

1. Why the type of acid can predict damage better than pH alone
2. Fermented dairy basics: common pH range (about 4.0 to 4.5) and why buffering can be misleading
3. How lactobacilli tie into oral health: caries risk, acid production (lactic and sometimes acetic acid)
4. Why some “oral probiotic” mints can be a tradeoff, especially depending on your physiology
5. Kombucha pH (about 2.5 to 3.5) and why sipping over time can raise erosion risk
6. Timing matters: why yogurt or acidic drinks right before bed can be risky during low-saliva conditions
7. A children’s diet study reference: reported erosion rates tied to yogurt, orange juice, and carbonated drinks
8. A look at compomers (composite + glass ionomer hybrids): what they are and how they are used clinically
9. How exposure to cola, juice, water, and milk affected restoration surface roughness in a 2024 paper
10. Why roughness matters: plaque traps, periodontal risk, and even tooth appearance (light reflection)

Highlights and Takeaways

1. “Healthy” does not always mean tooth-friendly. Gut benefits and enamel risks can coexist.
2. Sipping style and duration can matter as much as the drink itself. The longer acids linger, the higher the risk.
3. Fermented dairy can be well-buffered yet still contribute to enamel softening, especially with frequent exposure and poor timing.
4. Lactobacilli and its role as part of the caries picture, especially alongside streptococci, depending on the model and context.
5. Restorations have their own vulnerabilities. Some materials can roughen quickly in acidic liquids, while others may develop deposits over time.
6. A rough surface is not just cosmetic. It can create plaque traps and raise oral health...

What if some of the research shaping everyday products is quietly flawed, and the system designed to correct it often chooses not to?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and co-host Tami take a deep, unfiltered look at scientific ethics and research accountability. Prompted by recent survey data and real-world case studies, the conversation explores how flawed or falsified research can enter the scientific record and why it so often remains there uncorrected.

Rather than focusing on isolated mistakes, this episode examines systemic behaviors. These include informal admissions, delayed accountability, and the reluctance to issue corrections or retractions even when problems are known. From high-profile superconductivity claims to modern AI-driven research, Dr. Rob explains why transparency, replication, and proper testing models are essential, especially when scientific papers are used to justify claims in oral care products and other consumer-facing technologies.

This discussion challenges listeners to think more critically about what “published” really means and how to evaluate research beyond headlines and abstracts.

Key Topics Covered

1. Findings from a published survey examining how often chemists knowingly falsify information in scientific papers
2. What falsification can look like beyond simple errors, including selective data presentation and procedural shortcuts
3. Why many researchers avoid formal corrections and how those decisions are commonly rationalized
4. Informal and non-public ways errors are addressed instead of correcting the scientific record
5. How scrutiny can occur outside traditional journals through independent review and public forums
6. A detailed case study involving high-profile superconductivity claims and failed replication attempts
7. Why highly publicized fields like AI attract attention, while similar ethics risks exist across all areas of science
8. How Dr. Rob evaluates whether research is trustworthy, relevant, and clinically meaningful
9. The role of appropriate models, controls, and independent replication in supporting oral care product claims

Highlights and Takeaways

1. Published does not mean proven. Peer-reviewed publication alone is not a guarantee of accuracy or reliability.
2. The scientific record often remains uncorrected. Many known issues are never formally addressed through corrections or retractions.
3. Replication is essential. When independent groups cannot reproduce results, confidence in those findings should decrease.
4. Models and controls matter. Meaningful positive and negative controls are critical for interpreting results responsibly.
5. Bias influences what gets promoted. Financial incentives, career pressure, and...

What if the real risk to your enamel isn’t just how acidic a drink is, but the specific acids hidden inside it that change how your teeth dissolve?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and Tami break down how acidic drinks impact enamel demineralization, and why the “type of acid” matters, not just pH. They start with a surprising discussion on Pedialyte, explaining how a low pH plus citric acid and citrate salts can raise erosion risk, especially when calcium is absent. Then they compare major sodas and flavored waters, highlighting how acids like phosphoric acid, citric acid, and benzoic acid show up across brands for both preservation and taste. The episode closes with practical ways to reduce damage, plus a few “safer” sparkling water picks based on pH.

Highlights

1. Why pH below 5.5 increases demineralization risk (and how fluoride changes resistance)
2. The surprising enamel risk with Pedialyte (especially without calcium)
3. Coke vs. Pepsi: acid profiles and why “cola acid” is not always the same
4. Why benzoic acid shows up in drinks for more than preservation
5. A practical enamel-saving approach for acidic drinks when you are sick, dehydrated, or dry-mouthed
6. Flavored waters: why “it’s just water” can still be a problem
7. Which sparkling waters land closer to “gentler” pH territory

Practical Takeaways

1. Avoid brushing immediately after acidic drinks. Wait at least 30 minutes.
2. If you must use acidic electrolyte drinks, consider damage control strategies discussed in the episode (timing, fluoride support, and calcium buffers).
3. Flavored waters often contain citric acid and may sit below enamel-safe pH ranges.
4. Plain sparkling waters can vary. Some test closer to the safer side, but citrus flavors tend to drop pH.

📲 Connect with Dr. Rob (Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD)

🌐 Website: customdentalformulations.com

Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD

Google Scholar Profile