Plaque and salivary pH changes after consumption of fresh fruit juices

Abstract

The concept of health has prevailed for centuries and the dietary habits are apparently changing with modernization. "Healthy eating" is now perceived to be important. The desirability of a healthful lifestyle has led to an increased consumption of juices. Drinking large amount of fruit juice is frequently practiced these days and the consumption of these juices is further modified with behavioral habits such as swishing and frothing the drinks around the mouth, sucking frozen fruit juices, use of feeder cups at bed time etc. Hence this study was conducted to find the acidogenic potential of the commonly consumed fresh fruit juices (Grapes, orange, and pineapple) and the juices stored at various temperatures (room temperature, refrigerator and freezer) on the plaque and saliva at various intervals. It was observed that grape juice was more acidogenic compared to orange and pineapple juice. Frozen fruit juices caused a greater drop in plaque and salivary pH followed by the refrigerated juice.