title: Effect of water and mouthwashes on pH of oral monkey mucosa.
abstract: Among the many factors involved in homeostasis, maintenance of hydrogen-ion concentration is one of the most important functions of the body. Surface pH measurements of oral tissues after rinsing with water or mouthwashes are meager. This report presents results of the effect of tap water and 9 commercial mouthwashes on intraoral pH under controlled conditions. Nine rhesus monkeys, 5 females and 4 males between 3 and 8 years of age, were used in this study. During measurements they were sedated with phencyclidine hydrochloride and anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. A Beckman pH meter with potassium chloride and silver chloride combination electrode was utilized. The pH was measured on the lingual gingva opposite the right lower first molar. Control readings were obtained, then a 30-sec pulsed-water-jet lavage with tap water with a force of 5 psi was given, and the pH was observed for 5 min. The 1 ml of mouthwash was administered on a thoroughly soaked gauze for 30 sec. This procedure was repeated 3 times on different days for each of the 9 mouthwashes used. All of the measurements showed a decrease in pH after tap-water lavage. In general, acid mouthwashes decreased the pH, while mouthwashes with alkaline pH's increased the pH of the oral tissues. The effects on pH was, however, transitory since the major change appeared within 8 min and approached equilibrium by 12 to 16 min.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D014867:Water