Effect of chewing betel leaves on salivary pH – A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Betel leaves have been described from the ancient time as an astringent, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant. Saliva plays an important role in the maintenance of good oral health. Sucrose is the most cariogenic dietary carbohydrate, because it is fermentable and also serves as a substrate for the synthesis of extracellular and intracellular polysaccharides in dental plaque. The effect of betel leaves over sugar solution has been least explored. The study aimed at comparing the effect of betel leaves chewing on the salivary pH. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among n = 20 participants. The participants were asked to chew fresh betel leaves for 1 min after taking sugar solution and the pH was assessed at following time intervals baseline, 10, 30, and 45 min, respectively. Chewing betel leaves after intake of sugar solution tends to neutralize salivary pH within 10 min after consumption, thereby reducing the acid attack on the tooth surface by plaque bacteria. Betel leaves are effective in neutralizing the salivary pH after intake of sugar solution; therefore, it is suggested to consume plain betel leaves after a meal to neutralize the salivary pH and, thus, reduce the acid attack on the tooth which causes demineralization.