Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the salivary pH after the
consumption of different beverages in children at different time intervals.
Material and Methods: In this cross-over, single blinded, eighty children between
the ages of 7 to 12 years having a strict vegetarian diet were included in the study for
consumption of four different fruit juices (i.e. Guava, Orange, Apple, Pomegranate)
by dividing them into 4 groups based on caries experience selected. The endogenous
pH of the salivary samples was measured at the baseline and after consumption of the
fruit juices at 5, 15 and 30 minutes. Data was collected separately for simple fruits, fresh
fruit juices and processed juices. The intrinsic pH of fruit juices was noted by the digital
electronic pH meter. The collected Data were statistically analyzed by using ANOVA.
Results: The processed fruit juices caused acidity in saliva than fresh juices and fruits
after 5 mins. After 15 mins of intake of juices and fruits, the pH of fresh fruit juices moved
towards neutral pH while that of processed fruit juices was found to be still acidic. After
30 mins, pH tends to be alkaline for both fresh and processed juices. There was the least
change in salivary pH with the use of pomegranate fruits and juices during the whole
study.
Conclusion: Pomegranate has less changing effect on saliva pH than all other fruits
used in the study and processed fruit juices have a significant influence on the change of
salivary pH. The use of fresh fruit juices can be suggested in future.