Course of changes in salivary pH-values after intake of different beverages in young children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine possible differences in decrease of pH-values of whole saliva, following the intake of different beverages.


METHODS
Twelve boys and 13 girls (4.9 +/- 0.9 years old) participated in this study. A dental examination was performed (dmft). Orange juice (pH = 3.67), instant fennel tea (pH = 7.38), whole milk (pH = 6.84) and mineral water (pH = 5.88) were tested. All beverages were given at the same time of day. Salivary pH and buffering capacities of the beverages were determined with a portable pH-meter. Immediately after intake of a beverage, and 5, 10, 15 and 25 minutes later, whole saliva was collected, and the pH-value was measured again. The statistical evaluation was performed using the Wilcoxon test for paired samples.


RESULTS
Fifteen children had healthy dentitions. Ten subjects had a mean dmft of 1.1 +/- 2.3. The mean base salivary pH was 7.09 +/- 0.07, without differences between the children with and without dental decay. Mineral water led over the whole period of measurements to a significant rise in salivary pH (P < 0.05). Orange juice caused a significant reduction in the salivary pH during the first 10 minutes. After intake of instant tea or milk, significant reductions were found in the period of 5 to 10 minutes. After the intake of instant tea, the reduction was still significant after 15 minutes. During the period of 5 to 10 minutes, the change in pH (deltapH) in whole saliva differed significantly only between consumption of mineral water and other beverages (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
With regard to dental health, a regular consumption of orange juice or sweetened instant teas should be discouraged.
Azrak
Birgül
B
Department of Operative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Augustusplatz 2, 55131 Mainz, Germany. azrak@mail.uni-mainz.de
Willershausen
Brita
B
Meyer
Nadja
N
Callaway
Angelika
A
D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D002021:Buffers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D032084:Citrus sinensis; D004245:DMF Index; D005260:Female; D030001:Foeniculum; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D008900:Mineral Waters; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D002021:Buffers; D008900:Mineral Waters