title: Neutralizing salivary pH by mouthwashes after an acidic challenge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to test the neutralizing effect of mouthwashes on salivary pH after an acidic challenge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve participants were recruited for three visits, one morning per week. Resting saliva was collected at baseline and after 2-min swishing with 20 mL orange juice as an acidic challenge. Participants then rinsed their mouth for 30 s with 20 mL water (control), an over-the-counter mouthwash (Listerine), or a two-step mouthwash, randomly assigned for each visit. Saliva was collected immediately, 15, and 45 min after rinsing. The pH values of the collected saliva were measured and analyzed with anova, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post-hoc test (significance level: 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Orange juice significantly lowered salivary pH. Immediately after rinsing, Listerine and water brought pH back to baseline values, with the pH significantly higher in the Listerine group. The two-step mouthwash raised pH significantly higher than Listerine and water, and higher than the baseline value. Salivary pH returned to baseline and was not significantly different among groups at 15 and 45 min post-rinsing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mouth rinsing after an acidic challenge increased salivary pH. The tested mouthwashes raised pH higher than water. Mouthwashes with a neutralizing effect can potentially reduce tooth erosion from acid exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Mojdeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dehghan
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Daranee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tantbirojn
authors.affiliation: Summer Research Program, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kymer-Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Colette W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Yanhui H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Antheunis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Versluis
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia-Godoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002021:Buffers; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000737:chemistry; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012459:Salicylates; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013729:Terpenes; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012459:Salicylates; D013729:Terpenes; D014867:Water; C057473:Listerine
keywords: acid; clinical study; mouthwash; saliva; tooth erosion