What is shown?
Acid production and recovery.
← All explanationsStephan curve
Why is frequent snacking different from one sweet treat for teeth?
The Stephan curve illustrates how plaque pH may fall after fermentable carbohydrates and then recover. Bacteria produce acids, while saliva supports recovery. The curve explains a principle rather than measuring an individual's decay risk.
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An acid challenge
Plaque bacteria can convert sugar into acids. A falling pH indicates a more acidic environment.
Time for recovery
Saliva dilutes and buffers acids. The pattern and duration depend on factors including plaque, saliva and the food involved.
Repeated challenges
Frequent sweet sipping or snacking can trigger further acid episodes. Frequency matters alongside the overall amount consumed.
Read the full explanation
An acid challenge
Plaque bacteria can convert sugar into acids. A falling pH indicates a more acidic environment.
Time for recovery
Saliva dilutes and buffers acids. The pattern and duration depend on factors including plaque, saliva and the food involved.
Repeated challenges
Frequent sweet sipping or snacking can trigger further acid episodes. Frequency matters alongside the overall amount consumed.
Notes on the teaching images
- Schematic principle curve without measured data: pH indicates acidity and t indicates time. A sugar challenge can lower plaque pH.
- The rising curve represents recovery. It deliberately gives no fixed duration or individual pH values.
- Repeated challenges can interrupt recovery. Depth and duration are schematic; this is not an individual risk measurement.
At a glance
What affects it?
Plaque, saliva and food.
Practical idea?
Notice continual sweet sipping.
Knowledge in motion
Explained in 36 seconds.
Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.
Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.
Often confused
Decay and erosion
The Stephan curve concerns bacterial acid in plaque. Acidic drinks can also act directly on dental hard tissue, even without sugar.
Quick answers
Does pH return to normal after exactly 30 minutes?
That cannot be promised universally. A teaching curve shows a typical pattern; individuals and products differ.
Does this make every snack equally harmful?
No. Composition, quantity and frequency matter. The curve is not a reason to miss necessary meals or ban foods indiscriminately.
Does water between meals help?
Water supplies no sugar for further bacterial acid production. It is therefore a sensible default drink, but does not replace cleaning or necessary treatment.
At the practice
For a personal discussion
Editorially suggested question to discuss with Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour:
Which recurring eating and drinking habits are relevant to my decay risk?
Do small drinks or snacks accompany your whole day? Reviewing them can reveal relevant sugar and acid exposures.
Discuss everyday preventionAppointment selection at DoctolibLearning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge
- pH
- A measure of how acidic or alkaline an environment is.
- Buffering
- Reducing a change in pH.
- Demineralisation
- Loss of minerals from dental hard tissue.
Make the distinction
The Stephan curve concerns bacterial acid in plaque. Acidic drinks can also act directly on dental hard tissue, even without sugar.
Sources and context
Editorial research: . General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.