Effects of Mouthrinses on Salivary pH After Acidic Drink Consumption

Megan Fisher*, Matthew Duggan*, Alcinda Trickett-Shockey and Amy Funk, Department of Dental Hygiene, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center North, Morgantown, WV 26506

Field (Broad Category): Dental Hygiene (Health Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Dental Hygiene 

Introduction: Consumption of acidic beverages, is a frequent occurrence for many dental patients, causing an increase in the acidity of the oral environment and potentially tooth decay. Currently, no recommendations are available for a protocol to prevent such an acidic environment, if one chooses to consume acidic beverages. Purpose: The purpose was to determine what mouthrinses elevate salivary pH to baseline or a more neutral pH. Thus, minimizing acidic exposure to prevent dental erosion, and be able to give patients a product recommendation. Methods: Twenty participants were gathered on six different days. Baseline salivary pH readings were acquired each day. Subjects would consume Coca-Cola®, test their salivary pH, and proceed to use a different mouthrinse on each day to compare salivary pH at one, ten, and twenty minutes post rinsing. Mouthrinses included: Cool Mint Listerine®, ACT® Anticavity, CariFree CTx4, Chlorhexidine, distilled water; and one day of no post rinsing. Results: All mouthrinses increased salivary pH to more basic levels than without a rinse. Mean salivary pH testing indicates that Cool Mint Listerine® elevates salivary pH the fastest. At the 20 minute testing interval, the only mouthrinses that were more basic than at baseline, were distilled water and ACT® Anticavity. However, when considering standard deviation the only mouthrinse that proves to be significant was ACT® Anticavity. Conclusions: From this research, dental professionals can provide evidence based nutritional counselling to patients who drink acidic beverages. Recommendations can be made to rinse post consumption with ACT® Anticavity mouthrinse. 

Funding: 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Capstone Course within Department