Mouthwash Improved Saliva pH After Acidic Incident - Clinical Pilot Study

Objectives: To investigate changes in saliva pH after an acidic challenge and subsequent rinsing with different mouthwashes.
Methods: 12 participants were recruited for 3 visits (one morning per week) (UTHSC IRB#14-03123-XP). They were asked not to use oral cleansing products nor eat after waking up. Resting saliva was collected at baseline (BsLn) and after 1-minute swishing with 10 mL orange juice (OJ, Minute Maid Premium Pulp-Free). Participants then rinsed for 30 seconds with 20 mL water (control), Listerine (Johnson & Johnson), or proprietary mouthwash (provisional patent application 61/770863, March 2013), randomly assigned for each visit. The proprietary mouthwash consisted of 2-step rinses based on bicarbonate, calcium, phosphate, fluoride, and other natural ingredients. Immediately, 15, and 45 minutes after rinsing, saliva was collected (R0, R15, R45). pH of the collected saliva samples was measured using a micro-volume glass electrode and pH/ISE meter model 710A (Orion).
Results: Baseline pH values were not significantly different among groups. Orange juice significantly lowered saliva pH in all groups. Listerine and water rinse brought pH back to baseline values. Proprietary rinse raised pH significantly higher than Listerine and water rinse, and the pH was higher than the baseline. Saliva pH returned to baseline and was not significantly different among groups at 15 and 45 minutes post-rinsing.

Conclusions: The proprietary rinse has potential to reduce tooth erosion by increasing saliva pH after an acidic challenge