Comparative Study of Salivary pH, Buffer Capacity, and Flow in Patients with and without Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Farah Bechir,Simona Maria Bataga,Adrian Tohati,Mariana Pacurar

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010201

Abstract

The oral cavity has specific and individualized characteristics, with pH, saliva flow, buffer capacity, temperature, and microorganisms content influencing oral health. Currently, the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is constantly increasing. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the saliva quantity at 5 min, salivary pH, and salivary buffer capacity in patients with and without GERD, necessary for establishing the correct dental treatment plan. A Saliva-Check Buffer (GC) kit was used for the determination of salivary variables. The total number of 80 patients included in the study were divided into a study group and a control group, each containing 40 patients. Saliva quantity at 5 min was lower in patients suffering from GERD. The salivary pH of these patients turned to acid values compared to the salivary pH of controls, where the values were within the normal range. In patients with GERD, the determined salivary buffer capacity was low or very low. The use of the Saliva-Check Buffer (GC) kit is a simple, easy, non-invasive and patient-accepted method, which can also be used in the dentist’s office to assess the saliva buffer capacity and pH, variables that are important for establishing a correct dental treatment plan.

Highlights

Academic Editors: Christian MertensThe oral cavity has specific and individualized characteristics, with a wide variety of pH, bacterial load, and temperature variation [1,2]
This research represents the initiation of a serial study in which we evaluate the behavior of dental materials considering the results obtained in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients, necessary for establishing the correct dental treatment plan for this category of patients
GERD, and were practically limited the salivary resting parameters saliva collected in thewith cup,and wewithout observed an increased viscosity, and the in our study by the pandemic. These results suggest that GERD influences patients’ saliva, which may have an impact on the structure of tooth enamel, as well as on the properties of dental materials used for restorations

Summary

Introduction

Academic Editors: Christian MertensThe oral cavity has specific and individualized characteristics, with a wide variety of pH, bacterial load, and temperature variation [1,2]. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a current affection, with a prevalence that is constantly increasing [5]. GERD effects are mainly located in the esophagus, but oral cavity disorders are frequently caused by this disease [6,7]. Reduction in the normal performance of the individual, and the nocturnal appearance of heartburn can cause sleep disorders; in general, there is a significant reduction in quality of life in patients with GERD [8,9]. Saliva is the major component of the aqueous fluid in the oral cavity, and represents a complex mixture of organic and inorganic secretions of the salivary glands, the fluids and substances arising through the gastroesophageal reflux from the upper respiratory tract, the gingival sulcus, food, and blood-derived compounds [10].

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